Cinderella's Transformation (Part 1)

The carriage traveled along the road on the return journey.

Bai Wei huddled in the corner of the carriage.

Her small body pressed tightly against the carriage wall, her hands clutching the hem of her clothes.

Her eyes peeked timidly at Ling Xiao sitting opposite her, then she quickly lowered her head.

Even now, she still felt as if she were living in a dream.

A few hours ago, she was still in a dilapidated adobe house.

Waiting to be sold by her parents to a wealthy merchant to be a maidservant subject to beatings and scoldings.

Now, she was sitting in a luxurious carriage.

Beside her was the handsome young man who had saved her from a desperate situation, as well as a gentle and beautiful older sister.

They were heading toward a place she had never even imagined.

She secretly raised her head again, looking at Ling Xiao sitting opposite her.

The young man leaned against the soft cushions, flipping through a book in his hands.

His profile was handsome, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes.

Sunlight filtered through the carriage window, landing on him and casting a halo of light.

It carried a power that inexplicably put people at ease.

"There's no need to be so reserved."

Ling Xiao did not look up, yet he had already sensed her gaze.

He spoke calmly, his voice gentle.

"From now on, you will follow me. No one will ever be able to bully you again, and no one will ever sell you again."

Bai Wei's body trembled violently, and she was somewhat flustered.

She raised her head, her small face flushing red instantly.

Then she quickly lowered her head again, responding in a small voice:

"Th... thank you, My Lord."

Ling Xi, who was to the side, watched her appearance with a touch of heartache in her eyes.

She moved to Bai Wei's side, gently holding her cold little hand, and smiled tenderly:

"Don't be afraid. The Boss is a very good person and never treats us poorly."

"In the future, just treat this place as your home, and you can tell me if you need anything."

Ling Xi's hands were warm, and her smile was gentle.

Like a ray of warm sunshine, it dispelled the unease in Bai Wei's heart.

She nodded, and her tense body relaxed slightly.

Throughout the journey, Ling Xi spoke to her in a soft voice.

She told her about the appearance of Martial Soul City and the rules of Qinghui Hall.

Bai Wei listened quietly, occasionally responding in a small voice.

In the gaze she cast toward Ling Xi and Ling Xiao, the timidity gradually dissipated, replaced by a bit more trust and reliance.

Not long after, the carriage drove into Martial Soul City.

It stopped in front of the gates of Qinghui Hall.

Bai Wei followed Ling Xi off the carriage, looking at the magnificent and imposing palace before her.

Her eyes widened, her face filled with shock.

The flying eaves and bracket sets were grand and imposing, and the bluestone slabs in the hall were smooth and level.

Tall, straight green bamboo was planted on both sides, and as the wind blew, the bamboo leaves rustled.

Was this... Martial Soul Hall?

Was this the legendary, top-tier spirit master faction of the entire continent?

"Let's go, I'll take you inside."

Ling Xi smiled and took her hand, leading her into Qinghui Hall.

The maidservants guarding the hall entrance immediately bowed in salute upon seeing Ling Xiao.

They did not cast any unnecessary glances, acting with great discipline.

This scene made Bai Wei realize even more that the master of this place possessed a status so noble that she could not even imagine it.

After entering the hall, Ling Xiao only gave a calm instruction:

"Ling Xi, take her to wash up, get something to eat, and once she is settled, bring her to the study to see me."

"Yes, Boss."

Ling Xi immediately responded, taking Bai Wei's hand and walking toward the side hall.

The side hall was spacious and bright, its interior decorated with exquisite beauty.

A full set of grooming tools sat upon the vanity, and the wardrobe was stocked with several well-fitting dresses, complete from inner layers to outer garments.

The bathtub was already filled with hot water, scattered with fresh flower petals.

Mist curled in the air, carrying a faint floral fragrance that permeated the entire room.

Bai Wei stood in the room, at a loss for what to do.

In all her years, she had never stayed in such a fine place.

"Don't just stand there, hurry and check if the water temperature is right."

Ling Xi smiled as she helped undo Bai Wei's hair bun, her heart aching with pity as she looked at the girl's dry, brittle hair and tattered dress.

"From now on, this is your room, and these things are all prepared for you; there's no need to be reserved."

"Sister Ling Xi, is... is this really for me?"

Bai Wei looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Of course it is."

Ling Xi nodded, helping her remove her old clothes and assisting her into the bathtub.

"The Boss is kind-hearted and a very good person."

The warm water enveloped her body.

It washed away the dust of the journey, and it washed away years of grievances.

She looked at Ling Xi, who was crouching by the tub and gently washing her hair, and asked in a low voice:

"Sister Ling Xi, are... are you the same as me?"

"Yes."

Ling Xi's movements were light, her voice gentle.

"When I awakened my Martial Soul at six years old, I tested at Innate Level Nine Soul Power, but the Martial Soul I awakened was the most useless Blue Silver Grass."

"Everyone called me trash, mocked me, and bullied me. I lived a very painful life in the orphanage."

"Back then, I was exactly the same as you are now."

Bai Wei jerked her head up, staring at Ling Xi before her.

With a gentle temperament, outstanding beauty, and strength that was unfathomable.

She could never have imagined that Sister Ling Xi had once shared the same experiences as her.

"Then... then what happened?"

Bai Wei's voice was filled with urgency as she asked softly.

"Later, the Boss found me."

Ling Xi's eyes brightened, filled with starlight.

Her tone held undisguised adoration and admiration.

"He was like a beam of light, appearing at my most desperate moment."

"He gave me the chance to defy fate, turning me from a piece of trash that everyone mocked into a true Soul Master."

"The Boss is very mysterious, and also very powerful."

"He is the personal second disciple of His Holiness the Pope of Martial Soul Hall, a peerless genius with Innate Full Soul Power!"

"He is very handsome, and while his nature seems cold, he is actually incredibly gentle."

When she spoke of Ling Xiao, her entire being seemed to glow.

That heartfelt loyalty and worship could not be faked.

Bai Wei listened, stunned, her heart pounding in her chest.

A personal disciple of His Holiness the Pope?

A peerless genius with Innate Full Soul Power?

These were terms she hadn't even dared to imagine before.

Could such a big figure not only save her but also give her a chance to change her destiny?

"Sister Ling Xi, can... can he really give me a new life?"

Bai Wei's eyes were full of anticipation, yet she feared it was all a dream.

"My Martial Soul is useless for anything, everyone says I'm trash, can I... can I really become a Soul Master just like you?"

"Of course you can!"

Ling Xi looked at her and nodded firmly.

"The Boss can accomplish things others wouldn't even dare to dream of. Since he brought you back, he will definitely give you a bright future."

"What you must do is believe in him and remain forever loyal to him, just as I am."

Bai Wei looked into the light in Ling Xi's eyes and nodded firmly.

She did not know what this new life awaiting her would truly be like.

Yet she knew that the young man who had brought her out and the sister beside her were the only chances she would have in this lifetime.

Half an hour later, Bai Wei followed Ling Xi into Ling Xiao's study.

She had already changed into a brand-new ruqun, and her temperament had shifted, making her appear like a refined young lady.

The original timidity had faded significantly, and her eyes had become bright and spirited.