Qing Lin

Qing Lin had those snake scales because she was the egg-born child of a Snake Person and a human woman.

In this part of the Tagor Desert, human women were often abused by the Snake People and forced into sexual relations with them. The children born from such unions had impure bloodlines and were cursed by both humans and the Snake People, condemned to a lifetime of mockery and scorn.

By now, Qing Lin's heart had long been scarred beyond repair. She was lucky to have been taken in by Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

Even so, Qing Lin would occasionally hear the mercenaries discussing her with disgust and contempt. So she had always lived carefully, afraid of making anyone unhappy.

But Xiao Tian was different. He not only didn't hate or despise her, he even praised the scales on her wrist, saying they were beautiful. She felt an unusual warmth toward him, and a powerful rush of warmth swelled within her.

"Young Master Xiao Tian, aren't you afraid?"

Qing Lin's beautiful face showed a hint of curiosity as she asked softly.

Xiao Tian gazed at the girl and smiled faintly. He was about to answer when he suddenly noticed what looked like three tiny, emerald-green dots hidden in her pupils, so subtle they were easy to miss.

And after looking into her eyes for only a moment, he felt his mind grow hazy.

Hm?

What kind of bewitching eyes are those? They actually made even me, a strong cultivator with a soul at the Mortal Realm Great Perfection, lose focus for a moment! Xiao Tian was astonished. But when he stared at the tiny green dots again, they had vanished.

Seeing that Xiao Tian hadn't answered, Qing Lin spoke again, timidly:

"Young Master Xiao Tian, Qing Lin will be serving you during this time. Please just tell Qing Lin if you need anything."

As she said this, a faint blush rose on Qing Lin's face.

Coming back to himself, Xiao Tian nodded slightly and smiled warmly. Qing Lin's heart gave an unexpected flutter.

The night was long, and sleep would not come.

That night soon passed.

The next morning, sunlight poured through the window, bathing the room in a brighter glow.

Xiao Tian sat on the bed and stretched.

Before long, Qing Lin came in with a washbasin, ready to attend to him.

"Qing Lin, I can manage on my own."

Xiao Tian smiled and took the towel from her, then began washing his face.

A moment later, Xiao Tian and Qing Lin left the room.

They had barely stepped outside when strange looks from those around them fell upon them.

Those gazes were filled with disgust, contempt, and coldness. Qing Lin trembled slightly beside Xiao Tian and instinctively moved closer to him. Her small, snow-white hand clutched his clothes of its own accord. Her scarred heart seemed to be searching for some comfort and protection.

"Qing Lin, don't worry about what others think. Your life belongs to you. No matter what, you live for yourself." Xiao Tian smiled faintly, took her pale hand, and drew her to his side.

Feeling the warmth radiating from Xiao Tian's palm, Qing Lin suddenly felt as though the whole world had brightened. A joyful expression appeared on her face. She raised her head, which she had always kept bowed in shame, straightened her slender figure, and strode forward with her head held high.

Xiao Tian's lips curved into a faint smile.

After passing through the hostile stares, Qing Lin suddenly spoke in a low, timid voice. "Young Master Xiao Tian, Qing Lin wants to stay by your side forever and be your personal maid."

As she spoke, her beautiful face held both anticipation and anxiety.

But when she heard Xiao Tian's reply, the anticipation on her face immediately gave way to disappointment.

"Qing Lin, I may not be able to stay long," Xiao Tian replied after a moment's thought.

"All right." Qing Lin answered softly, a little disappointed, then obediently lowered her head and followed behind Xiao Tian.

Today, at the command of the regiment leader Xiao Ding, she was taking Xiao Tian on a tour of the area around Stone Desert City.

The two soon reached the eastern part of Stone Desert City.

"Young Master Xiao Tian, there seems to be something over there... I can feel its aura, and it seems a little similar to my bloodline!" Qing Lin suddenly pointed in a direction with her soft, pale hand and spoke timidly.

"Oh?"

Xiao Tian was slightly taken aback. He immediately unfurled his Purple Cloud Wings and carried Qing Lin to an open patch of desert.

"Young Master Xiao Tian, that feeling is getting stronger. It's as if it's right beneath our feet." Qing Lin pressed her lips together, sounding surprised as she spoke softly.

Xiao Tian nodded and looked around. There was no passage leading underground, so it seemed he would have to force his way down.

Xiao Tian immediately drew the Zi Wu Qi Xing Sword from his back and prepared to use the Earth-tier Low-grade Dou Technique, Mountain Collapse Earth Split Slash. But just as he was about to strike, an angry shout rang out nearby:

"You bastards! People from the Desert Iron Mercenary Group dare trespass on our Sand Mercenary Group's territory!"

As soon as the voice fell, more than a dozen men in ochre clothes rushed in from all directions, blocking Xiao Tian and Qing Lin's path.

The two mercenary groups already had a grudge between them. Now that they recognized Qing Lin, the Sand Mercenary Group's mercenaries roared and charged forward, murderous intent in their eyes!

Qing Lin's slender body trembled, and her watery eyes filled with fear and confusion. She was clearly terrified of them.

"You've frightened her. Get lost while you still can, before I make a move!" Xiao Tian said, coolly surveying the group.

"What the hell are you supposed to be? Even your Desert Iron Mercenary Group leaders, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, have to show me, Mo Xing, some respect. How dare you talk to me like that?" A burly, middle-aged man bellowed angrily at Xiao Tian's unfamiliar young face.

"Enough nonsense!" Xiao Tian frowned slightly at his words, then swung the Zi Wu Qi Xing Sword upward.

In an instant, a surging wave of Dou Qi burst forth. The greatsword swept out with a fierce, overbearing force, as if tearing through the void.

Whoosh... Bang... Bang... Bang... Bang... Bang...

Amid a series of explosions, Xiao Tian killed all a dozen or so men wearing the Sand Mercenary Group's uniforms with a single move. Fresh blood gushed like a spring, spattering the surrounding yellow sand.

"Y-you... who are you..."

Seeing what had happened to his companions, the middle-aged man leading them stared in terror and stammered.

He had never imagined that this unfamiliar-looking young man could be so terrifyingly powerful!

"Die!"

Xiao Tian glanced at him coldly and swung the Zi Wu Qi Xing Sword. A cloud of crimson blood burst from the man's chest.

Spurt—

"Ah..."

A wretched scream came from the middle-aged man's mouth. His body slowly collapsed into a pool of blood, and he breathed his last.