Yan Lin: He's Slandering Me! (Over Four Thousand Words)

"Eh~"

"Brother Yan Lin, how come you... have legs?"

As Qing Lin entered Yan Lin's bedchamber and saw him walking toward her, her Small Face unconsciously blossomed into a smile. She had just wanted to sweetly call out "Brother Yan Lin," when she sensed that something was wrong. Why was her Brother Yan Lin walking over?

Where had his snake tail gone?

Qing Lin's curious and astonished gaze was fully caught by Yan Lin.

"Well? Handsome, aren't I?"

Yan Lin smiled at the girl, spreading his arms and displaying his new body.

The youth was tall and slender, dressed in black satin sleepwear. His fiery red hair cascaded down like a waterfall, making his jade-pale skin stand out all the more.

His sharply defined features were like those of a finely carved jade figure, exceedingly pleasing to the eye. His calm, pale-violet pupils were deep and bright, like the brightest stars in the night sky.

Even standing casually, he looked like a painting. Every movement carried the bearing of a refined young noble, extraordinarily handsome.

Looking at the smiling youth before her, who seemed to glow, fireworks bloomed in Qing Lin's emerald eyes, shining brilliantly. Dazed and somewhat shy, she said, "Handsome. Brother Yan Lin is the most handsome."

The little girl was very good at giving emotional validation, and Yan Lin's face also broke into a delighted smile.

He leaned closer to Qing Lin and lightly scraped her delicate nose with his hooked index finger, teasing with a smile, "So... little sister, want a date?"

Qing Lin's jade-white Small Face instantly flushed crimson. Her mind went completely blank, while Yan Lin's words, "Want a date?" echoed endlessly in her ears.

When she met Yan Lin's calm eyes and that slightly mischievous smile, little Qing Lin's CPU overloaded completely. Steam-like white smoke practically rose from her little head.

"Brother Yan Lin, stop fooling around."

Blushing furiously, the girl carried the jade tray and jogged over to the jade table used for washing up.

Seeing that she was still so easily teased, Yan Lin found it especially amusing and smiled. This little girl is just like Steam Girl—still so easy to embarrass.

After living together for many years, Yan Lin and Qing Lin's relationship had naturally grown stronger by the day.

Now, besides cultivation, Yan Lin had gained another daily pleasure: teasing Qing Lin, this adorable little girl.

She had lived with him for over three years and had long since grown accustomed to life among the Snake People Clan. Her personality had changed a great deal; she was clearly much livelier than when she had first arrived at Saint King Palace.

She was no longer as timid and weak as before, nor was she afraid to reveal the scales on her body in front of others. Yet her temperament remained soft and gentle, and she still blushed easily.

Over the years, Yan Lin had protected her too well.

Qing Lin had become increasingly dependent on and trusting of him. Yet precisely because he had protected her so well and never let her see the bloodier, darker side of things, her personality had not undergone a fundamental transformation.

Still, compared to before, she had changed greatly.

Qing Lin now dared to walk freely throughout the Snake People Clan, and through Yan Lin's introduction, she had even gained an older brother in Cauliflower Snake.

This was also thanks to the protection of Yan Lin, the increasingly renowned Saint King. Everyone in the Snake People Clan had tacitly accepted Qing Lin's existence. No one even dared show a hint of disgust toward her, much less gossip behind her back.

She had become a special presence within the Snake People Clan.

"Qing Lin, didn't I tell you that you don't need to come over so early every day?"

Walking over to the bashful girl, Yan Lin stopped teasing her. Otherwise, this little girl might end up too embarrassed to speak again.

Yan Lin knew Qing Lin well. The moment she heard that, she immediately replied, "No. If I don't come early, the other sisters will steal Qing Lin's work."

"Then let them serve me. You'd have more free time to do the things you like."

"Serving Brother Yan Lin is what Qing Lin loves doing most."

A smug curve rose at the corner of Yan Lin's lips. He raised his right hand and lightly scraped Qing Lin's delicate nose with his hooked index finger. "You silly girl."

The girl lowered her head, her Small Face unable to stop flushing again. Yet her hands did not pause as she skillfully helped Yan Lin dress and tied up his hair. Yan Lin, meanwhile, had long grown accustomed to letting Qing Lin fuss over him.

After dressing Yan Lin in his black outer robe, Qing Lin noticed his feet again and curiously asked, "Brother Yan Lin, why did you suddenly grow legs?"

Yan Lin did not hide it from Qing Lin and told her about the Humanoid Pill.

After learning of the Humanoid Pill, Qing Lin became curious about its origins and pressed him for details. Yan Lin then told her about encountering the Three Kings in the desert yesterday and fighting them.

"Brother Yan Lin, you weren't hurt, were you?"

Qing Lin thoroughly checked Yan Lin all over.

After hearing about Qi Yunxiao, the first thing she cared about was no longer the Humanoid Pill or Qi Yunxiao's collection, but whether Yan Lin had been injured.

In Qing Lin's eyes, nothing was more important than Yan Lin.

Yan Lin was the salvation of her life, as well as the light in her dark existence.

No one in this world could surpass him!

"I'm fine."

Yan Lin found Qing Lin's concern quite comforting, feeling that his efforts over all these years had not been in vain.

His little padded jacket did not leak.

The topic of Qi Yunxiao soon ended. As the two ate, they began chatting about everyday matters again.

"Mm, Brother Cauliflower Snake said he's going to teach me an ultimate technique today."

Qing Lin kept placing Yan Lin's favorite dishes into his bowl while happily sharing her plans for the day.

An ultimate technique?

What ultimate technique could that unfilial brat Cauliflower Snake possibly have? Even if he does, he probably learned it from me.

Though inwardly disdainful, Yan Lin still asked curiously, "What ultimate technique is he teaching you?"

Qing Lin paused while picking up food, a thoughtful look appearing on her Small Face. "It seems to be called... Thousand Years of Death."

"Pfft—"

Yan Lin, who had been drinking tea, immediately sprayed it out.

"Brother Yan Lin, what's wrong?" Qing Lin instantly stood up, thoughtfully stepping forward to gently pat Yan Lin's back and help him catch his breath.

"I'm fine."

After coughing twice, Yan Lin waved his hand and asked again, "Did you just say... Thousand Years of Death?"

"Mm." Qing Lin said innocently, "Brother Cauliflower Snake told me that this move is incredibly powerful. Once mastered, a single strike can make an enemy cast aside his armor and flee in panic, feeling as though the sky has gone dark and the sun and moon have lost their light."

Seeing Qing Lin's eager, knowledge-seeking expression, Yan Lin's lips twitched slightly.

Thousand Years of Death was more than powerful—it was fucking more terrifying than a Heaven-tier Dou Technique!

Its physical killing power might not be high, but it had a one hundred percent social death rate, and its psychological critical-hit rate was completely off the charts.

That unfilial brat—how could he teach Qing Lin this move... No, I absolutely can't let Qing Lin learn about it...

Yan Lin truly had not expected Cauliflower Snake to tell Qing Lin the nonsense he had made up, much less teach her this move.

Thinking of the righteous and glorious image he had worked so hard to build in Qing Lin's heart, Yan Lin felt that he had to stop this and preserve his noble reputation.

"Ahem... Qing Lin, this 'Thousand Years of Death' isn't suitable for you. You mustn't learn it, understand?"

After lightly coughing twice, Yan Lin tried to persuade Qing Lin. The latter looked at him innocently and asked, "Why?"

"This move... it... isn't suitable for girls."

Yan Lin stammered for a while before finally cobbling together an excuse. Qing Lin tilted her head and said innocently, "But that's not right. Brother Cauliflower Snake said this move is most suitable for girls."

Yan Lin's chest heaved sharply. He drew in a breath to suppress the agitation in his heart, but inwardly he roared, Beast!

Then again, Thousand Years of Death truly worked on both men and women!

Pain was still pain!

"Qing Lin, be good. You really can't learn this move. That Cauliflower Snake guy is always idle and unlearned, refusing to learn good things and only learning bad ones. You mustn't learn from him, understand?"

Yan Lin could not explain it clearly. Wanting to patch up his own story, he could only make Cauliflower Snake take the blame.

Besides, Cauliflower Snake was the one who had caused this problem. Yan Lin sold out his brother with decisive speed and not the slightest guilt.

After Yan Lin described it like that, Qing Lin could not help asking, "Brother Yan Lin, is Thousand Years of Death some kind of especially sinister Dou Technique? Is that why you won't let me learn it?"

"That's right. Thousand Years of Death is more than sinister—it's simply utterly deranged, something despised by all cultivators of our generation!"

In order to extinguish Qing Lin's curiosity, Yan Lin immediately went along with it, speaking with righteous indignation and contempt.

Upon hearing this, Qing Lin's gem-like, sparkling eyes fixed on Yan Lin. Somewhat hesitantly, she said, "But Brother Cauliflower Snake said you were the one who taught him this move, Brother Yan Lin. Did he lie to me?"

"Slander! That's slander! He's slandering me!"

Yan Lin bristled like an agitated cat. "How could I possibly cultivate such a sinister Dou Technique? That unfilial brat actually dares ruin my reputation. I'll make him pay for it later."

"Qing Lin, don't learn from Cauliflower Snake anymore in the future, lest he leads you astray."

At a time like this, Yan Lin would rather die than admit it.

His righteous appearance did not make Qing Lin suspicious. She obediently nodded and followed Yan Lin's words. "Mm, I'll listen to Brother Yan Lin in everything."

In Qing Lin's heart, no one could surpass Yan Lin!

Yan Lin was very pleased by that. While secretly breathing a sigh of relief, he was already thinking about how to seal Cauliflower Snake's mouth and make him willingly take the blame.

Brothers were meant to be screwed over, weren't they!

Within Queen Medusa's magnificent bedchamber.

"Your Majesty, Saint King has already gained the elders' approval and will leave the tribe tomorrow."

Hua She'er respectfully bowed to Queen Medusa, who was lazily reclining on the large bed, then reported the matter Queen Medusa had asked her to investigate.

Upon hearing this, Medusa fell silent for a while before waving her hand and dismissing Hua She'er.

Commander Hua respectfully accepted the order and quietly left the bedchamber.

Only Queen Medusa remained in the vast hall.

She had originally been reclining sideways on the bed, her right palm supporting half her face and her elbow resting against the mattress, lying there in peaceful laziness. Yet now, she seemed somewhat distracted.

After a while, she sat up.

Her clear eyes gazed in the direction of Saint King Palace. Queen Medusa's bewitching face was hidden behind a violet veil, making her expression impossible to discern, but her faintly furrowed brows seemed to carry a trace of restlessness.

"Yan Lin, you'd better not die out there... Your life belongs to This King!"

The next day.

A red-haired youth carrying twin swords on his back and a yellow earthen wine gourd at his waist arrived at the earthen city standing amid a world of endless yellow sand.

He looked at the passersby coming and going around him, curiosity in his eyes.

These passersby dressed differently from him, unlike his white-and-cyan brocade robes that could withstand the scorching heat.

Most men went bare-armed, revealing healthy, dark bronze skin.

As for the women, they all wore cool, revealing outfits.

Tight little leather tops wrapped around their chests, while short shorts or skirts covered their long, taut thighs. Other than those two areas that had to be concealed, the rest was openly displayed, revealing as much as possible.

Under the desert sun's fervor, even their fair skin had turned a sexy bronze.

Their graceful figures and snake-like waists carried a uniquely captivating charm and allure as they walked.

Yan Lin could not help taking a few extra looks.

Refusing to admire beautiful things would only make him seem incapable of appreciating romance.

However, it was not that he coveted those women's figures or beauty. It was simply his first time seeing so many humans.

Along the way, Yan Lin had certainly enjoyed the sights. Only upon reaching the earthen city did he shift his attention toward its gate.

"Desert City... I've finally arrived."

Looking at the two enormous pale-red characters carved above the city gate, Yan Lin silently read them, a faint smile appearing on his face as he walked straight toward the entrance.

His long brocade robes, youthful appearance, and jade-white skin naturally made him stand out.

Passersby entering or leaving the city, as well as the guards at the gates, all noticed Yan Lin amid the crowd and could not help examining him.

After taking a few looks, they looked away, deciding that he had come from another city. None discovered Yan Lin's identity as a snake person.

Even the fully armed city guards merely collected his entry tax before letting him through.

These people were all weaker than Yan Lin, so naturally they could not detect his identity.

Yan Lin easily blended into the human city and walked even more boldly through Desert City's streets.

After entering the city, he saw far more people and buildings.

Having come to a human city in another world for the first time, Yan Lin could not help looking around curiously.

He worked to adapt to this unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar environment, wanting to integrate into the human world as quickly as possible and become a true human.

That way, he could avoid a lot of Dou Wang trouble.

After wandering through Desert City for an hour and completely regaining the feeling of being human, Yan Lin followed the memories in his mind and began searching for the Ancient Map shop in Desert City.

He walked through Desert City's streets, asked some passersby for directions, and headed where they pointed.

Along the way, he reviewed his plan again, carefully considering how to deal with the Ice Emperor.

"Although Hai Bodong currently only has the strength of a Dou Ling, that guy is famous for being able to fight anyone to a draw. I can't underestimate him..."

Yan Lin thought as he walked.

After persuading the Snake People Clan's Four Great Elders and entrusting Qing Lin to Queen Medusa's care, he had come directly from the Snake People Clan's tribe to Desert City.

His target was the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong.

He was not here to copy the Ice Emperor's attributes, but to steal Xiao Yan's opportunities.

Whether it was Hai Bodong, that angel investor, or the Green Lotus Core Flame, the lotus pedestal, and the Earth Fire Lotus Seeds... he wanted all of them.

Opportunities belonged to those fated to obtain them.

Since he had come to this world, naturally he had to fight for them.

Giving them to Xiao Yan was absolutely impossible.

He bore no grudge against Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan had not done him any favors either. That guy might even become his romantic rival, so Yan Lin naturally intended to seize every one of his opportunities!