Let Qing Lin Call Him Brother

In the blink of an eye, Qing Lin had been washed clean and changed into a neat, pretty dress. Her delicate little face made her look like a beautiful porcelain doll, and her entire appearance had undergone a complete transformation.

Yet Qing Lin still carried an air of timidity that made people's hearts ache for her.

After learning about her past circumstances, Xiao Yi Xian treated her with great gentleness.

It was precisely through Xiao Ce's care and Xiao Yi Xian's tenderness that Qing Lin quickly adapted to the unfamiliar environment of the Moti Mercenary Group.

Night fell.

Xiao Ce and Xiao Yi Xian cultivated together fiercely several times, then brought up Qing Lin while chatting.

Xiao Yi Xian asked curiously, "A-Ce, what kind of constitution does Qing Lin have? She isn't even a Dou Zhe yet. Is she like I was before, still not awakened?"

Xiao Ce nodded slightly. "That's right. Qing Lin's constitution is called the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. It can control snake-type magic beasts and absorb the strength of the magic beasts it controls. Its terrifying potential is not the slightest bit weaker than the Woeful Poison Body, and unlike the Woeful Poison Body, it does not risk an outbreak of poison."

"It's that powerful!"

Xiao Yi Xian sucked in a sharp breath, a trace of envy appearing in her eyes.

They were both powerful constitutions, but why did she feel that the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils were even more monstrous than the Woeful Poison Body?

Seeing her expression, Xiao Ce teased, "Even I, with my ordinary body, haven't gotten jealous yet. Why are you the one feeling envious?"

Xiao Yi Xian could not help rolling her eyes. "Of course you won't be jealous. The stronger our constitutions are, the more they'll benefit you in the end, won't they?"

"Mm, that does seem to be the case. If anyone should be jealous, it should be other people. What would I have to be jealous about?"

As though she had suddenly remembered something, Xiao Yi Xian said seriously, "Right, you can't do anything improper to Qing Lin yet. She's still too young."

"What kind of person do you take me for? Do I look that desperate?"

Xiao Ce immediately cried out in protest.

In truth, even if Qing Lin, with her special constitution and incredibly high potential, had been old enough, Xiao Ce would not have immediately cultivated together with her.

After all, special constitutions were best suited for breaking through bottlenecks.

Cultivation was like rowing against the current. The further one cultivated, the harder it became to break through bottlenecks.

Dou Zong, Douzun, Dousheng, and even the final Doudi—each stage became harder to break through than the last.

If he had a special constitution like Qing Lin's to help him, he could save an immeasurable amount of time.

Xiao Yi Xian had helped him directly break through from a Nine-Star Da Dou Shi to a Nine-Star Dou Ling.

But that was nowhere near as difficult as breaking through even a minor realm at the Dou Zong or Douzun level.

That was because Xiao Yi Xian's realm had been too low.

Of course, cultivating together earlier had its benefits too. The sooner they did so, the sooner they could enjoy its benefits. Someone like Qing Lin, who was not suitable for cultivating together right away, could be nurtured for a future attempt at breaking through a bottleneck.

Xiao Yi Xian hugged Xiao Ce, their bodies pressed tightly together as she spoke in a slightly coquettish tone.

"Fine, I misunderstood you."

"Then tell me, how are you going to compensate me?"

Xiao Yi Xian's delicate body trembled. Looking at Xiao Ce's gleaming eyes, she pleaded sweetly, "A-Ce, can I make it up to you tomorrow? I really can't today."

Xiao Ce grinned.

"No!"

Before his words had even faded, Xiao Ce pounced on her, leaving Xiao Yi Xian repeatedly begging for mercy and foaming at the mouth.

The next day.

Xiao Ce found Qing Lin again.

She did not seem to have slept well the previous night. Two large dark circles hung beneath her fair little face.

Of course, it was not because she had heard any sounds she should not have heard. Her room was not next to Xiao Ce's either.

It was simply that yesterday's experiences, along with Xiao Ce and Xiao Yi Xian's care, still felt like a dream to her. She feared that once she woke up, this beautiful dream would shatter.

Xiao Ce said, "Are you still not used to it? Don't be nervous. Just treat Xiao Yi Xian and me as your older brother and sister."

Qing Lin lowered her head and said softly, "B-but I'm a mixed-blood child born of a snake person and a human. I'm a symbol of misfortune."

Xiao Ce chuckled. "I don't see it that way. In my eyes, you are a gift bestowed upon me by heaven. You are a blessing!"

"R-really?" Qing Lin looked dazed.

"Of course!" Xiao Ce said firmly.

"No one has ever said I was a blessing. You are the first." In Qing Lin's eyes, Xiao Ce seemed to become incomparably tall and majestic, like the sun itself, filling her whole body with warmth.

Xiao Ce rubbed her head.

"Don't call me sir anymore. Call me Brother."

"H-how could I do that?"

Xiao Ce deliberately put on a stern face. "What, do you think I'm not worthy of being your brother?"

Qing Lin immediately panicked. Her face flushed red as she hurriedly denied it.

"No."

"Then call me Brother!"

"B-Brother~"

Her soft, sweet voice stirred an overwhelming urge to protect her.

Xiao Yi Xian also walked over from afar to join in the fun.

"Call me Sister too."

"Sister~"

"Such a good girl!"

"Take this as your meeting gift from Sister." Hearing that soft, sweet voice, Xiao Yi Xian's lovely face showed a satisfied smile. Then she took out a jade bracelet from her Storage Ring.

In the cave within the Magic Beast Mountain Range, there had been a pile of treasures besides gold coins. She had plenty of accessories like this. Although it did not contain a magic core and was merely an ordinary ornament, it was beautiful.

Seeing the jade bracelet, Qing Lin immediately looked overwhelmed by the favor. Instinctively, she looked toward Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce smiled. "Take it. No matter what, it's a token of goodwill from your Sister Xiao Yi Xian."

As he spoke, he removed a Storage Ring from one of his fingers. Without giving her a chance to refuse, he grabbed Qing Lin's slender, fair wrist and placed it on her right index finger.

This Storage Ring had belonged to Gan Mu, the second-in-command of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

"This is Brother's meeting gift for you!"

Feeling his touch on her wrist, Qing Lin's porcelain-doll-like face had already turned as red as a ripe apple.

Though she was only twelve, girls from ordinary families on the Douqi Continent matured early. They often married at thirteen or fourteen, and Qing Lin had long understood many things.

Even after Xiao Ce withdrew his hand, Qing Lin still felt reluctant to part from that sensation.

But when she saw the Storage Ring on her index finger, she cherished it dearly, her heart filled with joy.

The three chatted for a while, then left the house and strolled through the Moti Mercenary Group. Before long, they arrived at a massive training ground.

On the training ground, the brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were locked in a fierce exchange. Hai Bodong sat in the distance watching, occasionally offering a few pointers whenever he had nothing else to do.

As a Dou Emperor, even though his cultivation had been sealed, his insight remained. Guiding the brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li was more than easy for him.

"Elder Hai, you seem to be in good spirits!" Xiao Ce greeted him with a smile.

"Hahaha, I had nothing to do and saw the two commanders sparring here, so I couldn't resist giving them a few pointers."

"Still, I never expected the Xiao Clan to produce so many talents. Although the two commanders' realms are not particularly high, their foundations are solid, and their combat experience far surpasses those disciples from the great families of the Imperial Capital."

Hai Bodong laughed heartily, making it sound casual.

But in truth, under normal circumstances, Dou Zhes and Doushis would not have been qualified to receive his guidance.

But Hai Bodong had decided to befriend Xiao Ce.

Since he could not guide Xiao Ce himself, guiding Xiao Ce's cousins could still serve some small purpose.