For a moment, the entire hall suddenly became empty, leaving only the stone pillars engraved with runes standing silently.

Nannan's gaze wandered around the hall, suddenly landing on Zhou Qing.

Her little face instantly blossomed with a delighted smile: "You are... Brother Zhou Qing! I remember you!"

Zhou Qing's heart trembled, and he quickly stepped forward and crouched down, smiling: "We've met again, Nannan."

The little girl tilted her head, her big eyes darting around: "Where's the other brother with the yellow hair?"

"That brother...," Zhou Qing's eyes shifted, and he lowered his voice, "He went to take a dump."

"Pff—"

Nannan couldn't help but cover her nose, her little face scrunched up: "Smelly!"

She exaggeratedly fanned her hand, causing Zhou Qing to burst into laughter.

Soon, Nannan seemed to remember something, grabbing Zhou Qing's sleeve with eyes sparkling with anticipation: "Uncle said, Daddy is in Brother Zhou's sect."

Her little hand unconsciously tightened: "Why doesn't Daddy come to find me?"

This simple question left Zhou Qing feeling like a fishbone stuck in his throat.

He looked at the innocent little face in front of him, watching the hope flickering in her eyes, momentarily at a loss for what to say.

Her father was no longer the man she remembered, the one who loved her dearly, now residing in someone else's shell.

Moreover, kneeling outside the mountain gate!

Zhou Qing took a deep breath and gently patted her little head.

"Your dad, he..." Zhou Qing's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice unconsciously gentle, "He's always thinking about Nannan, he's living his entire life for you."

"Then why doesn't he come to pick me up?" Nannan stubbornly asked, her eyes started reddening, "Doesn't Daddy want me anymore?"

"How could that be!" Zhou Qing quickly crouched lower, meeting her eye level, "Your dad loves Nannan the most. He... he's just caught up with some things."

Nannan sniffled and asked with teary eyes: "Really?"

"Of course it's true." Zhou Qing reached out to gently wipe away the tears on her face, suppressing the bitterness in his heart.

"Your dad is working hard every day to see Nannan again..."

Zhou Qing was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Working hard at what?" Nannan blinked her watery big eyes and pursued.

"Working hard...," Zhou Qing took a deep breath, forcing a smile, "working hard to prepare a surprise for Nannan."

"A surprise?" The little girl's eyes lit up instantly, the previous sadness vanishing, "What kind of surprise?"

Zhou Qing watched her joyful appearance, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He gently pinched her little cheek: "Well... if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."

Nannan pouted, about to protest, when suddenly her body swayed, softening and falling forward.

Zhou Qing was quick to react, catching her in his arms.

"Nannan? Nannan!"

The little girl in his arms was breathing steadily, her face rosy, as if she was just asleep.

Zhou Qing hurriedly checked her pulse and found all her vital signs normal.

"Don't worry!"

A hoarse voice came from the darkness.

Zhou Qing suddenly looked up to see Sikong Yan standing in the shadowy corner of the hall, at some point.

He was still wearing that crimson robe, with a faintly amused expression on his face.

"The time she can awaken is limited." Sikong Yan walked closer slowly, "It could be as short as just now, or maybe two or three days."

Zhou Qing gently placed Nannan in the center of the array, watching her little face gradually calm down.

"How exactly did you do it?"

Zhou Qing glanced at Nannan, pretending to be unaware of the life-giving technique, and asked.

Sikong Yan did not immediately respond.

He stood at the edge of the array, instead running his fingers lightly over the dark red patterns, his gaze obscure and unclear.

"Before I answer your question," he suddenly began, his voice hoarse, "could you solve a puzzle for me first?"