Wutan City.
At last, under Yao Lao's urging, Xiao Yan resolutely left the Xiao Clan.
After fusing with the Heavenly Flame, his strength had soared like a wild horse breaking free of its reins.
Yao Lao knew that this tiny Wutan City could no longer meet Xiao Yan's needs as he grew stronger.
Only the vast world beyond, brimming with challenges and opportunities, was a worthy stage for him to temper himself.
Before Xiao Yan left, Xiao Zhan, filled with concern, told him that if he had the chance, he could visit his two older brothers in Shimo City.
Xiao Yan naturally nodded in agreement, then traveled light as he left Wutan City.
His departure stirred not the slightest ripple in the seemingly lively Xiao Clan. No one cared that he had quietly gone on his way.
Before Yao Lao left as well, he had left Xiao Yi Xian an ample supply of Poison Pills—enough to help her break through to Dou Wang.
Shimo City.
By the next day, Qing Lin, looking utterly aggrieved, had still been sent to Xiao Fan's side.
Qing Lin lowered her head, her eyes full of unease and fear.
Seeing her like that, Xiao Fan couldn't help finding it amusing.
"Don't look at me like that. You're making it seem as though I forced you."
Qing Lin said nothing.
Wasn't that exactly what he'd done?
She just stared at Xiao Fan, her emerald-green eyes full of pitiful tears.
"Come on, I was only teasing you yesterday..."
Noticing how tense Qing Lin was, Xiao Fan softened his voice.
He crouched down and gently rolled up Qing Lin's sleeve.
In an instant, he saw the densely packed snake scales clinging to her skin.
Xiao Fan hadn't even spoken yet.
Qing Lin reacted as if she'd been struck by a terrible blow. Like a startled fawn, she immediately lowered her head and stammered, "I-I'm sorry..."
The smile vanished from Xiao Fan's face. He asked softly, "Why are you apologizing?"
"B-because..."
Qing Lin blinked, tears welling in her eyes. In the end, she couldn't hold them back, and they fell one after another like beads from a broken string.
It seemed that ever since she was little, through the strange looks and beatings from others,
she had grown used to apologizing in exchange for a shred of pity—and for the "favor" of being hit a little less hard.
"From now on, don't apologize to anyone. You're my maid, and you represent my face."
Xiao Fan's voice held a trace of domineering authority.
"Y-yes..."
Qing Lin sniffled, thinking, Waaah, young master is so fierce...
Even so, she couldn't help feeling a little closer to and more reliant on Xiao Fan.
"Besides... it looks pretty good. What are you apologizing for?"
Xiao Fan yawned.
Qing Lin didn't answer, but a glimmer appeared in her previously dull eyes.
"Come on. Take me around this place."
Xiao Fan stood up, his gaze calm.
"Okay..."
Qing Lin answered softly. Her voice was still faint, but she sounded a little more obedient.
The two walked side by side down the street. Xiao Fan stood tall and carried himself with an extraordinary air, like an elegant young master from a wealthy family.
Qing Lin, meanwhile, was regarded as "a little freak, half snake and half human" because of the unusual scales on her body.
The sight of the two of them together immediately drew countless stares from passersby.
"It's that thing... Disgusting..."
A passerby covered his nose and spoke in a low voice.
"Yeah, I heard she's covered in snake scales..."
Someone else chimed in, eyes full of disgust.
"She's cursed... She'll bring bad luck..."
Another person whispered.
"Heh, maybe that young master's taken a fancy to her looks?"
A round of malicious laughter came from the crowd.
The passersby's whispers were like sharp knives, stabbing straight into Qing Lin's heart.
Her face gradually turned pale as paper. Her head drooped lower and lower until it was nearly buried in her chest, and her steps grew slow and heavy. She murmured, "I-I'm sorry..."
She didn't even know why she was apologizing. But perhaps if she did, those people would hate her a little less. It was a reflex she had developed over the years.
At that moment, Xiao Fan's calm heart stirred. He spun around and said coolly, "Get lost!"
A terrifying aura burst out like a surging tide. It flashed past in an instant, yet the faces of everyone nearby turned deathly pale.
They felt an invisible pressure bearing down on them, so heavy they could barely breathe. Their legs went weak, and they almost collapsed to the ground.
"H-how terrifying..."
"That young man's eyes are frightening..."
Everyone quickly looked away, not daring to make another sound. With their heads lowered, they hurriedly scattered.
"Lift your head..."
Xiao Fan spoke again, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Qing Lin timidly raised her head, the traces of her tears still wet on her face.
"From now on, you don't have to bow your head to anyone!"
Xiao Fan looked into Qing Lin's eyes and spoke each word clearly.
"Y-yes..."
Qing Lin's voice was still weak.
"Louder!"
Xiao Fan barked again.
"Yes!!!"
Qing Lin summoned all her strength, raised her head, and shouted. It was as if she had poured out every grievance and resentment she had held inside for years. Her voice echoed over the street for a long time.
The two gradually walked away, their figures growing smaller and smaller at the end of the street.
The nearby passersby watched them go, still shaken. None dared to whisper another word.
They knew that from this moment on, Qing Lin had a powerful backer. She was no longer a little freak anyone could bully.
However, among the crowd, someone narrowed his eyes, a sinister glint flickering in them.
"Damn it... Someone beat me to it..."
The person cursed under his breath.
"If that's how it is, don't blame me for being ruthless..."
With that, the figure quietly slipped into the crowd and disappeared.
Night fell. Stars filled the sky, and a crescent moon hung high above, casting a cool glow that bathed everything around it in silver.
The Desert Iron Mercenary Group's camp.
The bonfire danced in the night breeze, crackling as sparks occasionally flew up before vanishing into the darkness.
The warm firelight illuminated a small patch of ground, where Xiao Fan and Qing Lin sat beside the flames.
Qing Lin was no longer as reserved as she had been during the day. Her emerald-green eyes shone brightly in the firelight.
She was like a curious little child, constantly asking Xiao Fan all kinds of questions.
"Young master, who are you? Why are you so powerful?" Qing Lin tilted her head and asked, curiosity written all over her face.
"Me? I am the Great Emperor..."
Xiao Fan deliberately put on an air of mystery and lifted his chin slightly.
"Wow, that sounds amazing!"
Qing Lin's eyes lit up, and her face filled with awe and admiration.
[Drip! Qing Lin is thoroughly convinced. Received 1000 Bragging Points!]
"Young master, where are you from?"
Qing Lin continued, her eyes filled with longing.
"This emperor comes from the starry reaches of the universe..."
Xiao Fan continued spinning his tale. As he spoke, he pretended to gaze up at the sky, as if recalling a distant homeland.
"Wow! The stars must be so beautiful, right?"
Qing Lin rested her chin in her hands, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
[Drip! Qing Lin is thoroughly convinced. Received 1000 Bragging Points!]
Xiao Fan gave a small nod and said gravely, "Not really beautiful. The universe is full of loneliness..."
His voice held a trace of wistfulness, as though he had truly experienced that endless solitude.
"Young master must have been so lonely, walking that path, right?"
Qing Lin looked at him with concern, her eyes full of sympathy.
"Being lonely means you're already standing at the summit..."
Xiao Fan smiled faintly and patted Qing Lin on the shoulder.
"Young master is amazing!"
Qing Lin gave him another thumbs-up, even more admiration in her eyes.
[Drip! Qing Lin is thoroughly convinced. Received 1000 Bragging Points!]
And so it went: one dared to spin a tale, and the other dared to believe it.
Beside the warm bonfire, the atmosphere was especially harmonious.
Outside the camp, however, a group of fierce, masked figures was already closing in...