"Oh, Uncle Hei Long, you can emerge from the green cocoon so soon? I thought you'd miss this meal!" Ye Ju said with a smile, looking at the arriving figure. She then stroked Hu Hu's head, gently nudging her.
Xiao Bai watched the tall man, her heart beating rapidly, a mix of joy and nervousness. She had never dared to imagine she would see her father again.
Xiao Bai took a few steps forward, her mouth opening, but the two words were difficult to utter...
"Hu Hu!" Hei Long couldn't wait any longer. His daughter, whom he had longed for a million years, was right before his eyes. He had thought he would never have the chance to see her again. When he sent Hu Hu away, she was still an egg. He only knew she wasn't a little dragon, but a beautiful little nine-tailed fox, just like her mother. Her mother even…
Thinking of this, Hei Long could no longer restrain himself. He strode forward, scooped Hu Hu into his arms, and couldn't help but shed tears of joy! He coaxed her with eager hope,
"Call me Daddy, darling, you can call me Papa too..."
Hearing her father's choked, joyful voice, Xiao Bai finally broke down:
"Daddy!" Xiao Bai cried out the word she had called countless times in her heart, and then sobbed uncontrollably... Her grievances were finally released at this moment, and from now on, she would also have a father to dote on her. Although her sister hadn't said anything, she vaguely knew that her father had been harmed by bad people and was forced to send her away.
A You and Xiao Wang You were happy for Elder Sister Xiao Bai. They had no parents. They understood this moment perfectly. They shed tears of emotion frequently.
It was shopkeeper Zhu who broke the atmosphere.
"Congratulations, Lord Dragon God! This reunion of father and daughter is worth celebrating. Let's have a drink! Come, please sit!"
"That's right, Uncle Hei Long, Hu Hu, sit down and eat." Ye Ju, seeing Xiao Bai crying so sadly, quickly chimed in.
A You had already prepared a new set of chopsticks and bowls and sat on Xiao Bai's other side. With her father on her left and her sister on her right, Xiao Bai couldn't be happier. Seeing her father not moving and not taking any food, she worried he wouldn't know how to use chopsticks and thoughtfully placed a few dishes into his bowl.
Hei Long was overjoyed to see his obedient daughter also giving him food.
Xiao You and A You were intimidated by the Dragon God's imposing aura and dared not sit. Xiao Bai noticed:
"A You, You You, why are you two standing? Sit down and eat!"
Hei Long looked up at the two little ones, restrained his imposing aura, and knowing they were good friends with Hu Hu, beckoned them to sit down.
"Don't be so reserved, you are all good children, sit down quickly!" Hei Long's handsome face held a hint of a smile.
Shopkeeper Zhu also raised his cup to toast Hei Long.
"Lord Dragon God, I am Zhu Ye, congratulations on your rebirth and reunion with your daughter today. It is truly cause for celebration!"
"Greetings, Daoist Zhu, thank you! It is inconvenient for me to reveal my name, but I am third in my family. You can call me Long San!" Hei Long said, raising his cup in thanks.
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. How could I not show respect? I can only presumptuously address you as Lord Long San!"
Shopkeeper Zhu was flattered by the Dragon God's response! He felt a bit overwhelmed. However, his heart stirred. This Fairy Ye was a divine maiden descended to earth, and now it seemed she was far from simple. Those she associated with were also of extraordinary, powerful, and mysterious origins! This A You fellow, after following her for only half a year, had become remarkable. Not only was his damaged spiritual root healed, allowing him to cultivate, but he had also mastered extraordinary medicine-making skills. In time, he would surely achieve greatness! He was alone, and had already left his sect. He owed the Fairy great kindness and had no way to repay it. He made a decision.
"Lord Long San, you can be my witness. I, Zhu Ye, have decided to pledge loyalty to Fairy Ye, to repay her kindness in detoxifying me."
Ye Ju was so surprised she almost choked. What was shopkeeper Zhu thinking? However, shopkeeper Zhu was a talented individual. Looking at this island, after she had left, she noticed that the island had been better organized upon her return. Three of the seven small buildings had been completed, which was quite fast. She could hire him as the island steward, which would make her life even easier.
"Shopkeeper Zhu, there's no need for that. Why don't I hire you as the steward of Penglai Immortal Island, how about it?" Ye Ju said, holding her small wine cup and looking at shopkeeper Zhu.
"No, master, my decision is made! Heaven as my witness, I, Zhu Ye, pledge loyalty to Fairy Ye Ju and will never betray you. Lord Dragon God, please be my witness. If I betray you, I will have all my cultivation scattered and my soul scattered!" Shopkeeper Zhu bowed respectfully, establishing the hierarchy. The oath transformed into a beam of light and vanished into the sky!
Long San looked at Zhu Ye, secretly admiring the man's ability to read the situation! And his gratitude! His future would be limitless!
"Little Ju Xu, please agree. Daoist Zhu's oath has been made!"
"Lord Long San, you can address me as Steward Zhu. You can find me for any trivial matters on the island! Hahaha!"
Ye Ju pressed her forehead. The man had already found his own position. The matter was settled, and she could only accept.
"Haha~ Ha~ You're welcome, you're welcome! Steward Zhu!" Long San laughed heartily, greatly appreciating Zhu Ye's forthrightness!
The group continued drinking. After Long San tasted a mouthful of the food, he was immediately amazed. How could these dishes be so delicious? He immediately transformed into a ravenous eater. As expected of father and daughter, their preferences were the same; they loved sweet and sour flavors.
A You added dishes and rice on the side. Fortunately, he had cooked a lot as his master had instructed. Ye Ju and the others were full, but Dragon God Long San was still busily eating. Alas, after millions of years without such delicacies, his previous dragon life had been in vain…
Ye Ju and Xiao Bai went to soak in the spiritual spring. Knowing her father was fine now, Xiao Bai followed Ye Ju closely. Only Steward Zhu remained, accompanying Dragon God Long San, clinking glasses until midnight. They conversed from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to governance, military affairs, and formations, becoming increasingly congenial. Long San was originally the most outstanding all-around genius of the Divine Dragon clan, which was why he was appointed clan leader. Furthermore, being confined to the underground for a million years with soul-locking nails, accompanied by loneliness and despair, with no one to communicate with, he now met Zhu Ye, who was also learned and talented. It was as if he had become a chatterbox, talking with immense pleasure!
Steward Zhu did not know the Dragon God's experiences, but seeing that the powerful Dragon God previously only had a dragon soul was enough to gauge his situation. Inevitably, there were schemes and tricks involved. However, even so, the Dragon God remained so open-minded and optimistic. The more they talked, the more he felt the Dragon God's broad-mindedness, his hatred for evil, and his heroic spirit. They felt a mutual admiration!
The thunder outside the barrier rumbled, but no one paid any attention. Yushou had already reinforced the barrier after performing the spell. However, many fish floating belly-up appeared in the outer sea.
"Sister, isn't it beautiful? This is the bathing room that Steward Zhu had the craftsmen build, enclosing our bathing pool within the house." Xiao Bai said, pointing at the newly built pool.
When Ye Ju returned to collect the spiritual spring water, she had seen it. At the time, she had guessed it was shopkeeper Zhu's doing. Shopkeeper Zhu could not see the spiritual spring pool. He could only see the spring water flowing from the rock face. Therefore, he had only built a separate reservoir at the place where the water emerged. It seemed she should take him to see it another day and improve the pool.
"Not bad, Steward Zhu is truly thoughtful." With more and more people on the island now, private spaces were indeed needed.
Ye Ju soaked in the spiritual spring, replenishing her depleted spiritual power. She was still too weak and needed to improve her cultivation as soon as possible. From now on, she would not be able to cast spells for at least ten days.