Taking Qing Lin as Disciple!

Hearing the voices, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li stepped out quickly.

Upon seeing that the visitor was indeed Xiao Ze, their faces were filled with joy.

"Third Brother, how did you get here?" Xiao Ding spoke first, his voice laced with unconcealable surprise.

Having been away from home for many years, neither brother had expected to run into their third brother here.

Xiao Ding was the eldest brother, and Xiao Li was the second.

After years of separation, the wear and tear of life were visible on their faces, making them appear much more steady and mature.

"It's been years; you've even grown taller than us. Come inside and sit; let us host you properly."

The two also noticed Xiao Zi standing to the side. "And this is?"

Xiao Ze introduced him: "His name is Xiao Zi, my companion on this journey."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were men of the world, so they didn't ask further. Instead, they draped their arms around Xiao Ze and led him into the house, recounting the hardships of the past few years.

Despite the long separation, the bond between the brothers had not faded; if anything, it had grown closer.

After a few cups of wine, Xiao Ze informed Xiao Ding and Xiao Li that he had reshaped his physique and could now cultivate, as well as the purpose of his visit.

When they heard that their third brother was already a Dou Zong powerhouse, the two brothers nearly choked on their wine, their pupils dilating to the size of copper bells.

"Third Brother, you really are a Dou Zong?"

This was simply unheard of, unseen.

Thinking back to the past, their third brother had been an ordinary person unable to cultivate, yet in just a few short years, he had become a Dou Zong powerhouse—truly terrifying!

Xiao Ze laughed: "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, would I lie to you? The reason I came here is firstly to visit you, and secondly to meet Queen Medusa and collect a Heavenly Flame along the way."

Xiao Ze's casual words were like a thunderclap, stirring up a thousand waves in the eyes of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

Xiao Ding shook his head with a bitter smile: "Queen Medusa is the supreme powerhouse of the Snake-People tribe. In this Tagor Desert, no one dares to set their sights on her."

"I didn't expect you to give us such a big surprise the moment you arrived."

"I think it's more of a shock," Xiao Li added.

If it were anyone else, they would have assumed the person was insane for even thinking about fighting Queen Medusa—did they have a death wish?

But since it was their brother, no matter what he intended to do, as his brothers, they would support him with all their might.

"Don't worry, I will be careful."

Xiao Ze naturally knew that Queen Medusa's fearsome reputation was already etched into the heart of everyone in the desert.

However, Queen Medusa was only at the peak of the Dou Emperor realm; she posed no threat to him.

"We may not be able to help you with Queen Medusa, but leave the search for the Heavenly Flame to us. Our Desert Iron Mercenary Group has enough manpower; I believe it won't take long to find its location," Xiao Ding continued.

Although a natural treasure like a Heavenly Flame was hard to find in this world, as long as it was within Stone Desert City, they would turn the place upside down to find it.

"Then I thank you, Eldest Brother and Second Brother." Xiao Ze raised his cup in a gesture of thanks.

The three brothers drank in silent understanding.

Anyone who had read the original story knew that the Heavenly Flame was hidden beneath Stone Desert City, and according to the current timeline, Queen Medusa had not yet discovered the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Therefore, Xiao Ze prepared to catch a turtle in a jar.

He would ensure Queen Medusa had no way out.

"By the way, is there a young girl by your side, Eldest Brother? I saw that she has excellent natural talent, a good seedling for cultivation, and I would like to take her as my disciple."

After a few rounds of drinks, Xiao Ze suddenly remembered the young girl he had seen earlier that day.

Hearing this, Xiao Ding was slightly stunned, his mind quickly scanning the girls in the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. "The girl Third Brother is talking about, could it be Qing Lin?"

"She is a girl in light green, elegant attire. I noticed her when I entered," Xiao Ze said after a moment of thought.

"That must be her."

Xiao Ding explained: "Because she is a descendant of both humans and snake-people, she has faced discrimination and coldness since childhood, always living her life with extreme caution."

"Hmm." Xiao Ze nodded.

He knew of Qing Lin; she was born with the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, the bane of snake-type magical beasts. With a little cultivation, she might even reach the Dou Saint realm in the future.

"Alright, Third Brother, I will go call her over. I believe she will be very happy to become the disciple of a Dou Zong powerhouse."

Aside from her mixed heritage, he hadn't noticed any outstanding talent in her cultivation, but since his third brother had taken a liking to her, it might be a stroke of fortune for her.

Xiao Ding then stood up, walked quickly out of the hall, and headed toward where Qing Lin lived. Before long, he returned in a hurry with Qing Lin in tow.

It was a delicate figure; the girl was not old, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, in the prime of her youth.

She wore light green, elegant attire. Though her frame was petite, she was maturing, yet she still carried an air of innocence.

Her exquisite, oval-shaped face was adorable and moving, like a delicate porcelain doll.

Her timid appearance was like a frightened little rabbit, her lips slightly pursed, and her whole being exuded a fragility that stirred pity in anyone who saw her.

Qing Lin kept her head down, her small hands nervously tugging at the corner of her clothes as she was brought before Xiao Ze by Xiao Ding.

She stole a glance upward, but upon touching the mysterious and powerful aura radiating from Xiao Ze, she quickly lowered her head again, her voice as thin as a mosquito's: "Young Master..."

Seeing Qing Lin in this state, a flicker of gentleness flashed through Xiao Ze's eyes as he softly said, "Little girl, am I really that terrifying?"

Qing Lin hurriedly shook her head, her fingertips clutching the hem of her skirt, the tips of her ears flushing a faint red. "It's not that, Young Master. It's just that Qing Lin's status is lowly... I fear, I fear I am unworthy of being the Young Master's disciple."

Before coming here, Commander Xiao Ding had told her that a Dou Zong powerhouse was willing to take her as a disciple, and that he was his brother.

But she knew very well that with her status, being able to remain in the Desert Iron Mercenary Group was already a blessing; how could she dare to dream of becoming the disciple of a Dou Zong powerhouse?

Seeing this, Xiao Ze tapped his fingertips lightly against the stone table, a gentle smile passing through his eyes. "Little girl, if even you are unworthy of being my disciple, then who else in this Dou Qi Continent could possibly be?"

"Qing Lin, what are you still standing there for? Hurry up and pay your respects!" Seeing Qing Lin acting like a blockhead, Xiao Ding was so anxious he began rubbing his hands together. "In this Jia Ma Empire, it isn't just anyone who gets the chance to apprentice under a Dou Zong powerhouse."

To be favored by a Dou Zong powerhouse was a blessing she had cultivated over three lifetimes.

Before his voice had even faded, Qing Lin's eyes turned red in an instant, large teardrops splashing onto her fair cheeks. She dropped to her knees with a thud, her voice choked with trembling joy. "Qing Lin is willing! Qing Lin is willing to be the Young Master's disciple. Thank, thank you for your favor, Young Master..."

Xiao Ze reached out to gently wipe the tears from Qing Lin's face, smiling as he said, "You're already my disciple, yet you still call me Young Master. Do you not want to acknowledge me as your teacher?"

Qing Lin was suddenly stunned, her eyelashes still wet with tears, but she broke into a smile through her weeping and called out crisply, "Master!"

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for taking the SSS-grade beauty Qing Lin as a disciple. Disciple-taking rewards are being distributed...]

[Ding! Disciple-taking reward distributed: Tier 4 Alchemist Talent!]

[Ding! Disciple-taking gift distributed: Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils Constitution (Completed Version)!]

[Ding! Taking Qing Lin as a wife can trigger hidden rewards. Does the host choose to take her as a wife?]