Douluo Traversal, I Pull Out a Dou Technique and You Don't Explode? Section 50

"Mother... died of illness last year. Father... I don't know who my father is. No one wanted me..."

As she spoke, her voice grew lower and lower. She lowered her head as well, her fingers unconsciously clutching the fabric at Liu Bai's chest.

Liu Bai sighed inwardly. Just as he had expected.

He gently patted Qing Lin's frail back and said warmly,

"Then follow your big brother from now on, okay?"

Qing Lin abruptly raised her head, her jade-green eyes full of cautious hope.

"B-Big Brother... you don't dislike me? They said I'm... a bastard, that I'll bring bad luck..."

"Of course I don't dislike you."

Liu Bai's tone was gentle as he turned to look at Xiao Yi Xian.

"This big sister won't dislike you either, right?"

Xiao Yi Xian immediately leaned closer, her smile as warm as the afternoon sun.

"That's right, Qing Lin. Big Sister will play with you from now on and make you tasty food, okay?"

Qing Lin looked at Liu Bai, then at Xiao Yi Xian. Her eyes gradually reddened, and large tears rolled down her cheeks. Yet she desperately held back from making a sound, merely nodding hard before burying her little face against Liu Bai's shoulder and lightly rubbing against him.

She was also afraid of dirtying Liu Bai's clothes.

That tiny gesture of dependence melted both Liu Bai's and Xiao Yi Xian's hearts.

After returning to their room at the inn, Liu Bai said to Xiao Yi Xian,

"Take her to wash up first and change into some clean clothes."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded and led Qing Lin into the inner room.

However, not long afterward, she poked her head out with a helpless expression.

"Liu Bai, Qing Lin is too tiny. She can't wear our clothes at all. They look like huge sacks on her."

Liu Bai thought for a moment.

"Cut up some of your clothes and alter them so she can make do for now. We'll buy clothes that fit tomorrow."

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes lit up. "Right, I have a green dress. The fabric is soft, and it should fit after a few alterations."

A moment later, Qing Lin, freshly washed, was led out by Xiao Yi Xian.

With the dust washed away, her emerald-green hair draped smoothly over her shoulders. Although her little face was still somewhat sallow from malnourishment, those jade-green eyes were especially clear and bright. Wearing the tender green dress that had been skillfully altered to fit her, she looked like a little blade of grass that had just been washed by rain—fresh, timid, and heartbreakingly adorable.

She seemed unaccustomed to the clean, soft clothes and stood there awkwardly, her little hands clutching the hem of her skirt. When she saw Liu Bai looking at her, she became even more nervous, lowering her head as she spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

"Y-Young Master."

Liu Bai walked over, crouched down until they were eye to eye, and ruffled her still-damp hair.

"You don't need to call me Young Master. Just call me Brother Liu Bai."

Yet Qing Lin stubbornly shook her head and said softly,

"No... Qing Lin is a servant. Young Master saved Qing Lin and gave Qing Lin clothes to wear. Qing Lin is Young Master's maid."

She raised her head, her eyes carrying a seriousness and stubbornness that did not match her age.

Looking into her clear and resolute gaze, Liu Bai knew that this tiny girl had her own principles and dignity.

He no longer forced the issue and smiled.

"Alright, then call me Young Master."

Searching for Heavenly Flames

Having such a sensible little maid wasn't bad either.

"Mm!"

Qing Lin nodded firmly, and at last, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Liu Bai stood and gently rubbed her little head.

Qing Lin was only a bit over 1.3 meters tall now, more than two heads shorter than Liu Bai.

He had originally planned to search for Qing Lin, yet he had unexpectedly run into her directly.

But Qing Lin was so frail right now. Could she truly awaken the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and control the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake?

Liu Bai had his doubts.

At least Qing Lin would grow another three years over the next three years. Right now, she was simply too thin and weak.

He would deal with it after some time. There was no need to rush.

Over the next few days, Liu Bai felt as though he was becoming a professional caretaker and beginner instructor.

His first task was to nourish little Qing Lin and turn this bean sprout into a cute little girl.

Every day, Liu Bai bought back a huge pile of ingredients while preparing medicinal baths and other things to nourish the body.

He had both Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin soak in them.

"Young Master, I really can't eat anymore..."

Qing Lin looked at the bowl that was nearly bigger than her face. Though she felt incredibly happy, she truly could not eat another bite.

"Mm, then don't force yourself. Your body needs to be nursed back slowly. Just look at how thin you are."

Liu Bai pointed at Xiao Yi Xian, who was gnawing on fruit and watching the show from the side.

"Look at Sister Xian'er. She only grew so pretty because she eats a lot."

Xiao Yi Xian nearly choked. She shot Liu Bai a reproachful glare, then turned to Qing Lin with a smile.

"Be good. Finish eating, and I'll take you to buy candied hawthorn skewers."

Under Liu Bai's care, Qing Lin visibly filled out little by little. At the very least, her face was no longer so waxy and yellow.

The second step was introductory cultivation.

Liu Bai picked a morning and began teaching Qing Lin how to cultivate.

In the original story, Qing Lin had not even begun cultivating three years later.

The earlier one started cultivating, the better. Strictly speaking, she was already starting a little late at this age.

"Close your eyes, breathe in, and imagine you're a vacuum cleaner... ah, no, imagine tiny glowing specks of energy shooting into your stomach."

Qing Lin obediently did as she was told. Her little face turned red from holding her breath. After a while, she opened her eyes and said blankly,

"Young Master... the light specks seem to be asleep. They ignored me."

Liu Bai rubbed his forehead.

"...No rush. We'll take it slowly."

By the end of the day, Qing Lin finally succeeded in drawing energy into her body.

Another day passed, and Qing Lin's talent proved no worse than Xiao Yi Xian's.

At the same time, the search for Heavenly Flames had not stopped.

Although he had determined the general area, he still needed to search carefully for the precise location.

It was impossible for him to find it instantly.

One day, Liu Bai returned.

The moment he entered, he saw a heartwarming sight. Xiao Yi Xian was holding Qing Lin's little hand and teaching her to write, while steaming dishes were spread across the table.

Qing Lin looked up, and her eyes lit up as she called out brightly,

"Young Master is back!"

Liu Bai gently stroked Qing Lin's little head. To make searching for Heavenly Flames easier, he had directly bought an estate in Stone Desert City.

Little Qing Lin stood on tiptoe and helped Liu Bai remove his outer robe. Liu Bai handed the robe to her.

"Our little Qing Lin is so well-behaved."

It was neither a grand nor a trivial compliment, yet little Qing Lin could be happy over it for a long time.

The three of them sat at the table and began eating.

"How is it? Any leads?"

Liu Bai shook his head.

"Not that quickly, but I've already narrowed down quite a few areas. I should find it soon enough."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded.

Liu Bai thought about it. Around this time, the Douluo World school term should be starting as well. He could not just keep disappearing forever.

If he did not return soon, Sister Yanyan would start worrying.

Over the past few days, Liu Bai had also told Xiao Yi Xian some of his secrets, such as how he would disappear for periods of time every so often.

Though Xiao Yi Xian had been surprised at first, she said she understood.

The two agreed that if Liu Bai left, Xiao Yi Xian absolutely could not leave without saying goodbye.

The reason Liu Bai had made this agreement was that he was afraid Xiao Yi Xian might awaken her Woe Poison Body one day and suddenly leave without a word.

If that happened, he would really be at a loss.

After searching for several more days, Liu Bai had almost completely determined the location.

However, he now had to return to the Douluo World first.

He came before Xiao Yi Xian.

"You're leaving?"

Liu Bai nodded.

"Mm, probably for about half a month."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded gently.

"Mm. Be careful."