He Is Her Light!

"I'm sorry, my lord, I... I..."

"It's fine. Everything is difficult at the beginning. The first time is always like this."

Yan Lin raised a hand and gently stroked Qing Lin's little head. His tone was as mild as a stream warmed through by the spring sun, soothing the girl's uneasy, timid heart.

With her head lowered, she found the courage to look up at Yan Lin.

Qing Lin discovered that his gaze remained as gentle and patient as it had been when he first met her, like that of an older brother next door. The tension in her heart instantly vanished, and a desire she had never felt before arose within her. If only he could always treat me this well.

No one had ever treated Qing Lin this kindly before. She truly wished she could have an older brother like Yan Lin.

Even if she had to serve him for the rest of her life, Qing Lin would be willing.

"My lord, you... you don't despise Qing Lin for being abnormal?"

Perhaps realizing that Yan Lin did not seem to dislike her, Qing Lin finally gathered the courage to ask the question she had always wanted to ask.

Though the sentence was not particularly fluent, it seemed to drain the girl of every bit of courage. Her breathing grew heavy, anxiety filled her heart, and her pulse pounded like a drum.

She was already imagining Yan Lin being angered, lashing out at her with harsh words, insults, and kicks.

The timid nature the girl had been forced to develop since childhood could not be changed overnight.

Still, for Qing Lin to ask Yan Lin this question to his face was already a huge improvement.

Sensing the girl's nervousness, Yan Lin raised his hand and ran it through her smooth, cascading hair. He spoke naturally, "What is abnormal about you? All things in heaven and earth have their own forms and strengths. That is what makes this world so vibrant and diverse."

"If everyone looked the same, people would get tired of it. You were born different from ordinary people. Isn't that cool? I don't even have something like that, no matter how much I want it."

Wasn't that the truth? He wanted the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils too, but he had to scheme for them slowly.

Naturally, Yan Lin would not say those thoughts aloud.

However, wanting to change Qing Lin's timid nature and help her grow into a strong person he could use, he continued to counsel her. "Qing Lin, there is nothing abnormal about you. You are simply more unique than others. But you must believe that you are a different kind of spark."

"Your life is your own. What matters is yourself, not what other people think or how they look at you. How they see you is their business. What matters is how you see yourself. You should live for yourself, not for others."

Listening to words no one had ever said to her before, light seemed to appear in Qing Lin's jade-green eyes.

That light was bright and warm. Silently, it shone into her scarred and battered heart, letting her see that this world was not entirely darkness after all.

At least at this moment, a beam of light was shining upon her.

That light stirred an impulse within the girl.

For the rest of her life, she wanted to chase that light.

Little girl, may every road ahead of you be smooth; may everyone you meet be kind, and may the rest of your life know no sorrow or joy...

Seeing Qing Lin's reddened eyes shimmering with tears, Yan Lin knew the little girl had been deeply moved by his words, and he could not help feeling somewhat melancholic.

He knew this little girl would be easy to win over, but seeing it happen so easily still moved him.

It was hard to imagine what kind of life she had lived since childhood.

"Come on, continue helping me get dressed."

Pretending not to notice the tears clinging to Qing Lin's lashes, Yan Lin smiled and spread his arms, signaling for the girl to continue dressing him.

The girl wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, then moved closer to Yan Lin and continued helping him dress, still somewhat clumsily.

Although Qing Lin's movements were a little slow, she successfully completed the task of dressing him. Then she began bringing Yan Lin water for washing and breakfast. Unlike before, the girl was clearly more energetic and motivated this time.

After washing up and finishing breakfast, Yan Lin planned to find Queen Medusa for some practical combat training. Before leaving, he did not forget to remind Qing Lin to cultivate.

"Alright, I still have to go out later. Cultivate properly in the bedchamber. When I return, I'll personally check your progress. If you're too weak, you won't be fit to serve as my maid."

Yan Lin had never forgotten about copying the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils from Qing Lin.

Unaware of his intentions, Qing Lin thought he was doing it for her sake and immediately nodded obediently. "Mm, Qing Lin will cultivate diligently."

Qing Lin did not notice that she was speaking more smoothly now, and her voice had risen a little as well.

Seeing the solemn way she nodded, Yan Lin pressed his lips into a smile.

"That's more like it. Cultivate well. If you need anything, just tell me."

With a smile, Yan Lin left his bedchamber and went to challenge Medusa to a fight.

Inside the hall, Qing Lin watched Yan Lin gradually disappear into the distance. Even after he was out of sight, she remained standing there and gazing after him for a long while, like a girl chasing the light.

And Yan Lin was the light that had appeared in her world.

"Your Majesty Saint King, Her Majesty is already waiting for you in Wude Hall."

"Lead the way."

Under the guidance of a guard from Queen's Palace, Yan Lin headed for the hall Queen Medusa used specifically for cultivation.

After passing through several winding bluestone corridors, Yan Lin arrived before the entrance of a magnificent palace.

Above the palace hung a jade plaque inscribed with the words "Wude Hall."

At this moment, Wude Hall's doors were tightly shut. Along the corridors on either side of the entrance stood well-equipped snakefolk guards.

Occasionally, patrolling snake guards passed outside the corridors. Security was extremely tight.

"Her Majesty ordered that when Your Majesty Saint King arrives, you may enter Wude Hall directly."

The snake guard relayed Queen Medusa's command to Yan Lin. Hearing this, Yan Lin nodded slightly.

The snake guard respectfully took his leave, while Yan Lin gave a calm hum and dismissed him.

Looking again at the tightly closed doors of Wude Hall, Yan Lin strode forward. When he was only half a step away, he stopped. After a brief hesitation, he still knocked on the doors and called inside, "Your Majesty, I'm coming in."

There was no response from within, but Yan Lin pushed the doors open and entered anyway.

The first thing that caught his eye was an imposing snakefolk statue standing at the center of the hall.

The statue was two or three zhang tall. Looking closely, it had clearly been sculpted in Queen Medusa's likeness.

Seated atop the statue's head was a bewitching snake woman dressed in a red gown and wearing a golden crown.

Her purple snake tail was coiled beneath her, while her hands formed cultivation seals at her waist.

Perhaps sensing Yan Lin's arrival, her tightly closed pale-purple eyes slowly opened, and an invisible royal majesty naturally radiated from her without any need for anger.

Seeing Yan Lin approach, the snake woman's figure flickered, and she instantly flashed down from the top of the statue to the floor.

Swaying her purple snake tail, she slowly moved toward Yan Lin.

Looking at that lovely face capable of bewitching all living beings, Yan Lin could not help letting his gaze linger over her body.

Her skin was fairer than snow, and beneath her slender neck lay sharply defined, incredibly alluring collarbones.

Her full, exquisite body was wrapped in a fiery red dress that revealed every curve, leaving one's mouth dry and making one want to carefully explore this artistic masterpiece created by God.

Yet even before such beauty, Yan Lin did not dare entertain improper thoughts. Queen Medusa's enchanting yet slightly cold eyes were fixed tightly upon him.