Qing Lin's Strength Breaks Through!

Several maidservants passing through the courtyard with tea and snacks froze in their tracks upon hearing Qing Lin's words.

"Did you hear? Xiao Chen defeated Queen Medusa."

"Is that for real? She's a peak nine-star Dou Emperor."

"Qing Lin said it herself, so it shouldn't be false."

"Good heavens, just how strong must Xiao Chen be?"

The maidservants exchanged glances, seeing nothing but shock in each other's eyes.

Before long, the news had spread throughout the entire mercenary group.

"Have you heard? Xiao Chen defeated Queen Medusa."

"That's impossible."

"It's true, Qing Lin said it herself and both commanders heard it too."

"That youth is actually strong to such a degree."

"No wonder he wasn't afraid of the Snake-Person Tribe's retaliation; it turns out he had this confidence."

The mercenaries discussed it fervently, their tone shifting from previous complaints to pure admiration.

Those who had previously suggested driving Xiao Chen out now dared not speak a word; they wouldn't dare offend the man who defeated Queen Medusa even if they were given ten times the courage.

A young mercenary stood amidst the crowd, listening to the surrounding chatter with eyes full of worship.

"If only I had half of Xiao Chen's strength," he muttered to himself.

An older mercenary beside him patted his shoulder and sighed.

"Half? You can't even compare to a single finger of his."

The young mercenary didn't speak, but the admiration in his eyes grew even more intense.

In the main hall, Xiao Ding sat in his chair, watching Xiao Chen, the shock on his face yet to subside.

He picked up the teacup the maidservant had just brought over and took a sip to calm his nerves.

"Xiao Chen, what level is your strength exactly?"

Xiao Chen looked at him but remained silent.

Xiao Ding set down his teacup, stood up, walked over to Xiao Chen, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Remarkable, truly remarkable."

He had known since they were young that Xiao Chen had good talent, but he never expected him to be this strong.

Xiao Li also walked over and gave Xiao Chen's shoulder a firm pat.

"Our Xiao Clan has finally produced a true powerhouse; compared to you, we are far behind."

The three of them looked at each other and laughed.

Xiao Ding patted Xiao Chen's shoulder, his eyes filled with emotion.

"If you need any help in the future, just say the word."

"That's right, don't stand on ceremony with us," Xiao Li added.

Xiao Chen nodded, "Alright."

When night fell, Xiao Chen returned to his room with Qing Lin following behind.

"Qing Lin."

"Young Master, I am here."

"Continue your cultivation tonight." Xiao Chen took the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid from his robes and handed it over.

Qing Lin took the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid, her face flushing slightly; she knew that applying this liquid required taking off her clothes, and although she had done it several times, she still felt shy every time.

"Young Master, I—" Qing Lin lowered her head, her voice very soft.

"What is it?"

"It's nothing." Qing Lin shook her head.

She took a deep breath, suppressing that bit of shyness.

Xiao Chen didn't say anything more and turned to walk out of the room.

Qing Lin watched his back as he closed the door, then took off her outer garments and applied the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid to her body.

The moment the spirit liquid touched her skin, a cooling sensation surged throughout her entire body.

Qing Lin sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and began to cultivate, her internal Dou Qi flowing through her meridians again and again.

She could clearly feel the Dou Qi within her slowly increasing; the sensation was quite marvelous, as if something was awakening inside her body.

The night passed in a flash.

The next morning, Xiao Chen arrived at Qing Lin's door and knocked.

"Come in." Qing Lin's voice drifted from within.

Xiao Chen pushed open the Gate of Opening and stepped inside.

Qing Lin stood in the center of the room, a look of excitement on her face.

"Young Master, I've broken through."

Xiao Chen gave her a once-over and nodded: Dou Practitioner, three-star.

Rising from seven stages of Dou Disciple to a three-star Dou Practitioner in a single night—a full five-stage leap.

This speed was even faster than he had anticipated; she was truly worthy of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and her Snake-Person Tribe bloodline.

"Not bad."

Qing Lin nodded vigorously, her eyes brimming with gratitude.

"Keep working hard."

Qing Lin looked up at him and nodded firmly.

"Rest assured, Young Master, I will certainly not let you down."

Xiao Chen nodded, turned, and walked out of the room.

Qing Lin watched his retreating back, the corners of her mouth curling slightly upward.