"Good!"

Just as everyone stood poised for battle, their Dou Qi surging and ready to erupt, a voice rang out beside their ears.

"Stop. Once Young Master emerges from secluded cultivation, I..." Qing Lin's voice seemed choked with tears. "I'll go with you!"

"This..." Fa Ma, who stood closest to Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian, was the first to react. His mouth opened and closed, yet he did not know what to say.

As for the old monster from the Imperial Family, there was even less to say. If not for the news brought by his two granddaughters, he would never have offended two Dou Emperor powerhouses over a little girl.

Nalan Jie and the others, who had been so full of fighting spirit, secretly heaved sighs of relief. It was no wonder they reacted this way. Dou Emperor powerhouses were terrifying beyond measure. If the old monster from the Imperial Family had not stood at the front, they likely would not even have dared to utter a word.

That was reality. Interests were interests, but before life and death, the leaders of these great factions could be frighteningly cold-blooded.

"If you bad woman don't stop, all you'll get is my corpse." Seemingly realizing how important she was to the two Dou Emperors, Qing Lin pulled a dagger from her Storage Ring and placed it against her neck threateningly.

"Qing Lin, don't!" Xiao Yi Xian was startled at the sight. Only when she saw Qing Lin wink at her did she relax, though she still put on an anxious expression.

"Holy Maiden, there is no need for this." Lu Man and Bai Ya, standing not far away, panicked at Qing Lin's actions. With their years of experience, they could tell that the little girl was most likely only trying to frighten them.

But it was better to be safe than sorry. If Qing Lin accidentally made a mistake, they would face unimaginable punishment upon returning.

Lu Man especially seemed to recall something, and her legs went weak for an instant. Fortunately, a Dou Emperor's physique was powerful enough that no one across from her noticed.

As for Bai Ya, his skin was thick and his flesh tough. Nearly every time he returned from a mission, he would be severely punished. If not because there seemed to be something wrong with his brain, making him easy to dump blame on, and because they had worked together for so many years, Lu Man would never have chosen him as a partner.

Those thoughts flashed through her mind, but nothing showed on her face.

"Holy Maiden, there is no need for this. How about I remain by your side for the next few days and wait until your brother emerges from secluded cultivation before making a decision?" After speaking, Lu Man shot Bai Ya a meaningful look.

"Yes, yes. Holy Maiden, there is no need to get so worked up. We would never force you. Let Lu Man accompany you for the next few days. Everything can wait until your brother emerges from secluded cultivation." As partners of many years, although his mind often malfunctioned, Bai Ya still understood Lu Man's signals.

"Hmph... bad woman." Seeing that the two Dou Emperors had indeed compromised, Qing Lin lowered her dagger and pouted angrily. She was extremely displeased with the woman who wanted to separate her from her brother.

Lu Man gave a faint bitter smile. Although she had completed her mission this time, she had incurred the Holy Maiden's disgust. She did not know whether that was good or bad.

It seems I can only make it up to the Holy Maiden during these next few days, Lu Man thought. Otherwise, once the Holy Maiden grows up, I won't have an easy time of it.

"Are you Lu Man of the Heavenly Snake Manor? What an imposing manner you have, trying to snatch Qing Lin away by force." After cuddling Qing Lin for a while and calming her down, Lin Feng raised his eyes toward the green-clad figure opposite him, his voice laced with mockery.

"Mr. Lin Feng, you misunderstand," Lu Man hurriedly explained, seemingly afraid that Lin Feng would misunderstand something.

"I only wish what is best for the Holy Maiden. The Heavenly Snake Manor has an extremely complete training method for the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, while you..." Lu Man paused, seemingly searching for a more tactful way to phrase it.

"No matter what, it all depends on Qing Lin's wishes." Lin Feng waved his hand, interrupting Lu Man's thoughts. "And do you think I lack the means to nurture Qing Lin?"

"This..."

Had anyone else said such words, Lu Man would certainly have dismissed them with disdain. A mere Dou Ling daring to compare himself to the Heavenly Snake Manor, one of the true overlords of the Northwest Continent, simply did not know the immensity of heaven and earth.

But Lu Man was no ordinary person. Aside from teaching Qing Lin over the past few days, she had also investigated why so many powerful experts had supported her that day.

It was one thing not to investigate, but once she did, she learned that behind Qing Lin stood such a terrifying prodigy.

At Eighteen Years Old, he was already a Dou Ling powerhouse, and even a Fourth-grade Alchemist, as well as an elder of the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Guild.

Of course, if that were all, it would not mean much to the Heavenly Snake Manor. A genius who had not yet grown powerful could still be killed at will.

But true experts knew that such a prodigy could not have arisen through wild, unguided growth. For someone so young to become a Fourth-grade Alchemist, the alchemist behind him was likely at least a Seventh Grade alchemist.

Even the Heavenly Snake Manor was unwilling to easily offend an alchemist of such rank and influence.

Thus, Lu Man acted as though she did not mind Lin Feng's unfriendly words. Besides, what she had done truly had been rather improper.

"Mr. Lin Feng, why not entrust the Holy Maiden to the Heavenly Snake Manor for training? Once you and the Holy Maiden grow strong in the future, won't you be free to leave whenever you wish?"

Gritting her teeth, Lu Man spoke words that were utterly rebellious. If Bai Ya had been present, he would have known trouble was coming. Whenever Lu Man acted like this, somehow he always ended up taking the blame.

Lin Feng looked at the utterly shameless Dou Emperor before him with slight astonishment, unable to help admiring her audacity.

"Qing Lin, what do you think?" Ignoring Lu Man, Lin Feng lowered his head toward the silent Qing Lin and asked gently.

"Brother Lin Feng, I want to go." Qing Lin slowly raised her tear-streaked little face and said firmly, "I want to become stronger, then protect Brother. Hmph, when the time comes, I'll take all the Heavenly Snake Manor's treasures and give them to Brother."

Seeing Qing Lin's expression, Lin Feng could not help feeling heartache. Yet he respected her decision. Besides, Lu Man was right. Perhaps in less than ten years, he would become strong enough that even the Heavenly Snake Manor would have to regard him seriously.

"Alright. Since it is Qing Lin's decision, Brother respects it. But after you go there, you must be ruthless when necessary. If anyone makes any improper demands of you, reject them fiercely."

Although he already knew Qing Lin's departure was unavoidable, Lin Feng still worried that she was too soft-hearted and did not know how to protect herself.

After giving her a series of instructions, Lin Feng took out another Storage Ring and handed it to Qing Lin. "Qing Lin, there are Five Elements Pills of various grades inside. They will support your cultivation all the way to the Dou Ling level. When the time comes, take them according to your own condition."

Then Lin Feng turned to Lu Man. "Lady Lu Man, Qing Lin has a gentle nature. I hope you can protect her well after returning to the Heavenly Snake Manor. If there are any pills you wish to refine in the future, I can lend you a hand."

"What are you saying, Mr. Lin Feng? Helping the Holy Maiden is only what I ought to do. Please rest assured, Mr. Lin Feng. I will never let the Holy Maiden suffer even the slightest grievance."

Hearing this, Lu Man's face lit up with delight. She smiled brilliantly and thumped her chest hard as she promised Lin Feng.

Seeing Lu Man's ample chest rise and fall, Qing Lin snorted in dissatisfaction, causing Lu Man to freeze on the spot. Even Lu Man, who had always considered herself somewhat clever, was left at a loss, wondering whether she had said something wrong.

Qing Lin ignored Lu Man's self-doubt. Although after several days together, Lu Man had used her seasoned experience to ease Qing Lin's hostility, Qing Lin still had to part with Brother Lin Feng because of her. Thus, while she no longer hated Lu Man, she would never like her either.

If Lu Man knew what Qing Lin was thinking, she would surely feel bitter and sigh, "Women are impossible to please!"

"Brother Lin Feng, Sister Xiao Yi Xian, let's go shopping!"

Seeing Lin Feng and Xiao Yi Xian standing silently, Qing Lin wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and pretended to be cheerful.

"Alright!"

The next morning, Lin Feng and Xiao Yi Xian stood in the courtyard, watching the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor gradually vanish into the distance. Lin Feng clenched his fists tightly and thought to himself.

My strength is still insufficient. If I had the strength of a Dou Zong, or even a Dou Zun, then what if I forcibly made the Heavenly Snake Manor exchange its secret technique? I would not have needed to part with Qing Lin today.

"Brother Lin Feng, I'm preparing to enter secluded cultivation as well."

Xiao Yi Xian, who had not spoken a word beside him, suddenly spoke up, her tone filled with determination.

"Xiao Yi Xian..."

Looking at Xiao Yi Xian's expression, Lin Feng was stunned for a moment. Then a smile appeared on his lips.

"Good!"