Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start

The girl who entered did not seem very old, perhaps even a little younger than Xiao Ling. She wore an elegant light-green outfit. Though petite, her figure had developed rather unusually well, albeit with a trace of youthful immaturity.

Her delicate little oval face was adorable, like a beautiful porcelain doll. Her timid manner resembled a frightened little rabbit, making one unable to help but feel pity for her.

As Xiao Ling looked at the Green Clad Girl, he was briefly stunned. Sensing a trace of the Snake People Race's aura from her, he understood that she was Qing Lin. Xiao Ding must have instructed her that morning to come take care of him.

Now that he knew the girl was Qing Lin, Xiao Ling gave her a friendly smile and said gently, "Good morning to you too."

Seeing the gentle smile on the handsome young man's face, with a ray of sunlight falling across it, Qing Lin found it incomparably warm.

At the sight, Qing Lin hurriedly lowered her little head, not daring to meet Xiao Ling's gaze again. Her face was already burning, and a blush had spread to the tips of her ears.

"Young Master Xiao Ling, I... I came to help you wash up?" Qing Lin gently set the basin down on the wooden stand beside the bed, then stood nervously by the bedside and stammered in a low voice.

Xiao Ling nodded with a smile. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Qing Lin said nothing. She simply walked slowly over to Xiao Ling, retrieved a wet towel from the basin, wrung it out slightly, and began wiping his face.

Feeling Qing Lin's gentle movements, Xiao Ling closed his eyes and enjoyed her care.

Before long, Qing Lin had finished helping Xiao Ling wash up.

When he opened his eyes again, Xiao Ling saw Qing Lin standing to one side, occasionally sneaking glances at him.

Xiao Ling asked curiously, "Why do you look like you want to say something but can't? Is there something you want to ask?"

Hearing Xiao Ling's question, Qing Lin replied, "Commander Xiao Ding came to see me this morning and asked whether I was willing to stay by your side and become your Maid."

Xiao Ling nodded, then knowingly asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Qing Lin. Qing as in green, Lin as in scales," Qing Lin answered in her soft, sweet voice.

Xiao Ling beckoned to Qing Lin, signaling for her to come closer.

Following Xiao Ling's gesture, Qing Lin walked up before him, occasionally stealing a glance at his face.

Seeing how timid she was, Xiao Ling reached out and rubbed Qing Lin's little head. He asked softly, "Qing Lin, would you be willing to become my little sister? Stay by my side, and from now on, no one will ever bully you again."

Hearing Xiao Ling's gentle words, Qing Lin felt warmth rise in her heart. Deep within her slightly green-tinted pupils, three extremely tiny jade-green dots flickered in and out of sight.

Xiao Ling stared intently at those somewhat bewitching jade-green pupils. Suddenly, he sensed a wave of spiritual energy emanating from them. Rather than blocking it, Xiao Ling tested the power of that spiritual wave.

With Xiao Ling's soul at the early Spirit Realm, Qing Lin, who had yet to cultivate, naturally could not affect him in the slightest.

However, from Xiao Ling's perception, that unconsciously released spiritual wave was enough to affect an ordinary Dou Ling. Even a Dou Wang or Dou Huang, if caught off guard by it, would suffer a moment of mental daze.

As expected of the legendary Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Its power is truly terrifying. With this mental control ability alone, as long as an opponent isn't alert, fighting above one's level would be effortless. Xiao Ling drew in a breath and sighed inwardly.

When he looked once more into Qing Lin's watery eyes, the three tiny jade-green dots had quietly vanished.

As Qing Lin met Xiao Ling's gaze, she was just about to agree when she remembered the filthy Snake People Race bloodline within her body.

Ever since childhood, countless people had loathed and cursed her because of that Snake People Race bloodline. Every gaze directed at her had carried deep hatred.

If Young Master Xiao Ling learns that I have Snake People Race blood in me, he'll surely look at me the same way too.

Thinking of this, Qing Lin lowered her head again, not daring to look Xiao Ling in the eye.

When he received no answer, Xiao Ling saw her self-abasing expression and more or less guessed what she was thinking.

He lifted Qing Lin's lowered head so that she could meet his eyes, then said seriously, "Qing Lin, I know that Snake People Race blood flows through your body. Perhaps others will despise you for it. But don't worry. In my eyes, you are simply Qing Lin. You are no different from any ordinary person. I will not be prejudiced against you because of the Snake People Race bloodline in your body."

Upon hearing Xiao Ling's words, Qing Lin's body suddenly began trembling slightly. She asked in disbelief, "Young Master Xiao Ling, do you truly not care about the Snake People Race bloodline in my body? And Commander Xiao Ding said that you are a Dou Wang powerhouse, and your Alchemy Art has reached the Sixth-grade. How could someone like you possibly take an interest in a servant girl like me?"

Xiao Ling waved his hand and said indifferently, "In my eyes, humans and the Snake People Race are equal. Whoever treats me well, I will treat well in return. I also have a companion living next door. She transformed from a magical beast."

He rubbed Qing Lin's head again and said gently, "And Qing Lin, don't feel inferior because you have Snake People Race blood. Ordinary human-Snake People Race hybrids cannot survive past the age of two, yet you have grown up healthy and well. That means there must be something extraordinary about you. Those people do not know how to treasure your worth, so let me protect you instead."

When Xiao Ling finished speaking, tears were already streaming down Qing Lin's face. She kept wiping them away with both hands.

Mother, I've finally found the person you said would accept everything about me. From now on, I'll have family too.

Seeing Qing Lin crying so pitifully, Xiao Ling pulled her soft, boneless body into his embrace. He gently patted her back a few times and tenderly stroked her head.

After Qing Lin's emotions settled, Xiao Ling picked up her petite body and placed her on his lap.

Looking at her still slightly red and swollen eyes, he asked gently, "Qing Lin, are you willing to become my little sister and my family?"

Asked again, Qing Lin nodded without hesitation. Sniffling, she said, "I am willing."

Having received the answer he wanted, Xiao Ling felt immensely pleased. Qing Lin had been successfully won over. He would have another powerful helper by his side in the future.

Though he had wanted to take Qing Lin under his wing because of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, and that was why he planned to take her away—

Xiao Ling would still care for Qing Lin wholeheartedly and treat her as his little sister.

Whether it was Xiao Xun'er or Zi Yan, Xiao Ling might have approached them with certain motives, but no matter what, they were family he would protect with his life. Whoever touched Xiao Ling's bottom line would leave him with only one outcome: a fight to the death.

After talking with Qing Lin for a while longer, the two became more familiar with one another. Unfortunately, although Qing Lin was willing to become Xiao Ling's little sister, she continued calling him "Young Master."

Xiao Ling had tried to persuade Qing Lin not to address him that way, telling her that she held an important place in his heart.

For some reason, Qing Lin could agree to everything else, but she was exceptionally stubborn about how she addressed him.

Xiao Ling had no choice but to let it go. Perhaps it was a kind of emotional anchor for Qing Lin.

Tucking Qing Lin's hair behind her ear, Xiao Ling said with a smile, "Qing Lin, I'll teach you how to cultivate later. Let me tell you some good news—you're a one-in-ten-thousand cultivation genius."

Hearing Xiao Ling's words, Qing Lin nodded. "Since Young Master wants to teach Qing Lin cultivation, Qing Lin will definitely work hard and become capable of helping Young Master as soon as possible."

Xiao Ling took out a Ring and placed it on Qing Lin's left ring finger. He explained, "This Ring was given to me by my alchemy mentor. I no longer have any use for it, and you do not have a Ring yet, Qing Lin, so wear it for now."

Qing Lin opened her hand and examined the Ring on it. She asked curiously, "Does it mean something that Young Master put the Ring on this finger?"

Only then did Xiao Ling realize that he had put it in a somewhat unusual place. He had not paid much attention just now and had merely picked a finger at random. Perhaps it was fate's arrangement.

Waving his hand, Xiao Ling replied, "It doesn't mean anything. Don't overthink it."

To change the subject, Xiao Ling hurriedly took out several bottles and jars from his Ring. Pointing at the Porcelain Bottles, he told Qing Lin, "These are resources for you to use while cultivating Dou Qi. The green liquid is Foundation Building Spirit Liquid. Fill a wooden tub with water, add one drop of Foundation Building Spirit Liquid, then soak in it and absorb the medicinal power. The yellow pills are Yellow Dragon Pills. Simply consume and refine them. With these two medicinal aids, it won't take long for you to break through to the Dou Zhe level."

After listening, Qing Lin obediently nodded. Once Xiao Ling had taught her how to use the Ring, she stored those Porcelain Bottles inside it.

Touching the Ring on her ring finger, Qing Lin reminded herself, I must cultivate diligently. Only then will I be able to help Young Master in the future.

After putting away all the cultivation resources Xiao Ling had taken out, Qing Lin gave him a small smile and said, "Then Qing Lin thanks Young Master."

Seeing Qing Lin's obedient and well-behaved appearance, Xiao Ling was greatly pleased. He nodded and said, "Since you have agreed to leave the Desert Iron Mercenary Group with me, we should mention it to my two cousins first. Once I've explained things to them, I'll take you to meet my companion."

"The magical beast companion Young Master mentioned before? Qing Lin is really looking forward to becoming good friends with her," Qing Lin replied upon hearing him.

Thinking of Zi Yan, Xiao Ling smiled. "Don't worry. That girl is very lively."

Xiao Ling rubbed Qing Lin's little head, then got out of bed and said with a smile, "Let's go. I don't know where my two cousins are, so lead me there."

"Mm." Qing Lin responded softly and carefully followed Xiao Ling's footsteps.

As they left the room, sunlight poured down outside, making their entire bodies feel warm. Though the desert was scorching, it was still early morning, and the sunlight was not yet hot enough to make one uncomfortable.

Knowing that she would soon leave this place, Qing Lin thought to herself, From now on, I'll be living outside with Young Master. I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder whether Young Master's companion is really as easy to get along with as he says? But since she transformed from a magical beast, she probably won't be prejudiced against me, right?

As Xiao Ling and Qing Lin walked through the mercenary group, every Mercenary they encountered stopped and greeted Xiao Ling warmly. It seemed they had all learned of his identity.

However, when their gazes swept over Qing Lin at his side, their smiles gradually cooled. In some people's eyes, there was even a faint trace of disgust.

Xiao Ling could only sigh helplessly at their expressions. It seemed these people knew Qing Lin's identity as well.

Mercenaries on the desert's edge had blood feuds with the snake people that could never be erased. Whenever they thought of the filthy snake people blood flowing within the little girl before them, they could not help revealing disgust. Almost nothing could suppress such feelings. It was the mutual revulsion born from the long-standing hostility between humans and snake people.

Qing Lin, who possessed both human and snake people blood, bore discrimination and hatred from both sides. In truth, she was an exceptionally innocent girl.

As she followed beside Xiao Ling, every disgusted glance cast her way made Qing Lin's petite body tremble slightly, and her expression grew increasingly uneasy.

Xiao Ling reached out and rubbed Qing Lin's head, comforting her. "You are yourself. You do not need to care about other people's opinions. When your strength grows greater and greater, these people will be nothing more than ants, easily crushed with a flick of your hand. If you don't like them, then for my two cousins' sake, I cannot hit them too hard—but I still have ways to make them suffer for ten days or half a month."

Xiao Ling had trained in the Black Corner Region. His personality was not as gentle as it appeared on the surface, and he had not been joking. If it could clear Qing Lin's mind and dispel her feelings of inferiority, Xiao Ling would definitely teach these people a lesson without mercy.

Even with Qing Lin walking beside him, these mercenaries made no effort to hide their disgust toward her. Xiao Ling did not believe they had never bullied Qing Lin in private.

Hearing Xiao Ling's words, Qing Lin froze in place. After a long while, an indescribable light appeared on her adorable, delicate face. Her little nose twitched slightly as she raised her face. Within those jade-green pupils, three incredibly fine green dots silently emerged once more.

However, Qing Lin was ultimately a kind-hearted little girl. After hearing Xiao Ling, she quickly shook her head and replied, "The Commander took Qing Lin into the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and gave Qing Lin a place to live. These people are all the Commander's subordinates. They cannot be punished because of Qing Lin."

"Fine, then we'll let them off this time." Since Qing Lin did not want him to act, Xiao Ling abandoned the thought of doing so.

Qing Lin still did not understand the true rules of the Dou Qi Continent. Once she experienced more of the outside world with him in the future, she would naturally understand certain things.

After walking for some time, the two arrived at a training ground. Several mercenaries were sparring on the platform, while Xiao Ding and Xiao Li stood nearby watching.

When Xiao Ding saw Xiao Ling and Qing Lin approaching, he spoke first. "Cousin Xiao Ling, how was your rest?"

Xiao Ling nodded and answered, "I rested very comfortably. You got up quite early, Cousin."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, Xiao Ling began discussing Qing Lin.

He pointed at the somewhat bashful Qing Lin beside him and said to Xiao Ding, "I have already discussed it with Qing Lin, and she has agreed to stay by my side. I came here to inform you, Cousin. Once my companion wakes up later, Qing Lin and I will leave the Desert Iron Mercenary Group with her."

Hearing this, Xiao Ding nodded. Since he came from Wutan City, he did not hate the Snake People Race as deeply as those who lived in the Tagor Desert, so he held no prejudice toward Qing Lin.

Still, he had never given Qing Lin any special care. He had simply taken her back to the mercenary group because she seemed pitiful. Since Xiao Ling wanted to take her away, Xiao Ding did not care much.

He merely said a few polite words. "Then Cousin Xiao Ling, Qing Lin will be in your care. You must not let Qing Lin be bullied outside..."