Days passed.4

The city was small, but there were still occasional conflicts between residents. However, Xu Qing kept to himself, and in that state of isolation, managed to avoid trouble.3

The seed he had planted eventually sprouted, then quickly turned into a flourishing little sapling. It was a very strange plant, as it was slightly intelligent. Whenever Xu Qing appeared in its presence, it would tremble. In contrast, it would sway back and forth for Ling’er, causing her to laugh with delight. In response to her laughter, it would work harder to amuse her. She took to calling it Sprouty.26

Patriarch Golden Vajra Warrior was on guard duty. For the most part, he stayed in the rafters and kept his eye on the front door.0

As for the shadow.... It was not very pleased at all with how Sprouty was getting on Ling’er’s good side. On a few occasions when Ling’er and Xu Qing weren’t watching, it would show up next to Sprouty and glare murderously at it. When that happened, Sprouty would shrink in on itself and stop moving.30

However, the shadow didn’t do that very often, as it had another mission. It had to leave the city and go out into the Bitter Life Mountains,...4