Desert City, the Delicate Qing Lin

In the empire, there were actually people who could possess a sixth-tier magical beast as a mount. It was truly unbelievable.

As for why a group of Fighters and Dou Masters knew the Golden Eagle was sixth-tier, that was naturally because it could speak human language!

Seeing that the Golden Eagle had not destroyed any buildings or slaughtered anyone wantonly, the patrolling soldiers wisely chose to continue their patrol. However, they headed in the opposite direction from where the Golden Eagle had gone.

Whatever happened to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group was not something they could meddle in.

Even their commander would be utterly unable to do anything about it.

As for the royal family?

Leaving aside how long it would take to call for help, even if they came, they would have already become dried corpses!

Following the directions given by those soldiers earlier, the Golden Eagle soon arrived at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's headquarters.

By the time they arrived, the people of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group had already gathered in the courtyard, every one of them wearing a terrified expression.

Clearly, the sixth-tier magical beast had frightened them to their core.

At that moment, Lei Qi and the two girls jumped down.

There were only three of them because Yang Ji was hiding in the shadows.

He did not show himself.

Little Fairy Doctor and Cao Ying, naturally, had each been carried down in one of Lei Qi's arms.

Lei Qi's gaze quickly settled on a young face that bore some resemblance to Xiao Yan's.

The young man wore mercenary clothes. His tall, upright frame was straight and powerful, while his dark eyes carried a trace of laziness and sinister sharpness.

At that moment, he wore a flattering smile. "Young Master, what instructions do you have for coming to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group?"

It was obvious at a glance that the other party had an extraordinary background, someone the Desert Iron Mercenary Group could not afford to provoke. Likewise, someone the Xiao Clan could not afford to provoke.

Beside him stood another young man in white robes. Though he said nothing, his manner was extremely respectful.

His eyes, brighter than those of ordinary people, held traces of wisdom and a subtle, cunning shrewdness.

"I have some acquaintance with your brother, Xiao Yan. I came here on business and happened to pass through this place, so I will trouble you for lodging for one night," Lei Qi replied.

His target was Qing Lin, but he needed an opportunity to get acquainted with her.

Besides, seeking someone out with an ulterior motive was somewhat hard to justify. Especially in front of that little temptress Cao Ying.

"Young Master knows my third brother?" Xiao Ding was somewhat surprised.

He had not expected his third brother to know such a powerful person!

"Young Master, please come in. I will immediately have someone arrange accommodations for you," Xiao Ding said at once after realizing that he had spoken improperly.

"Alright."

Lei Qi agreed and led Little Fairy Doctor and Cao Ying toward the residence arranged for them.

Along the way, he casually chatted with Xiao Yan's two brothers for a few moments.

As for how he knew Xiao Yan, it was because of "Medicine Elder."

The two did not press him too deeply. Simply learning that Xiao Yan could already begin cultivating made them very happy.

After dinner, Lei Qi returned to the room arranged by the Desert Iron Mercenary Group to rest.

The next day, when the sun hung high in the sky, the creak of a door opening reached his ears.

Hearing it, Lei Qi looked over.

The girl who entered was clearly not very old, seemingly even a little younger than him. She wore an elegant light-green outfit. Though petite, her body had developed rather maturely in a somewhat unusual way, though she still looked slightly immature.

Her lovely, delicate oval face was, like Cao Ying's, as beautiful as a porcelain doll. Yet unlike Cao Ying, the girl looked timid and shy, like a frightened little rabbit, making one unable to help but feel pity for her.

"Young Master Lei Qi, I... I will help you wash up?" After gently placing the basin in her hands onto the wooden stand beside the bed, the adorable girl stood nervously at the bedside and spoke softly.

Seeing her appearance, Lei Qi had already formed a guess, but he still asked, "What is your name?"

"Qing... Qing Lin," the girl replied quietly.

"You have good talent. Do you want to cultivate?" Lei Qi continued.

As for this so-called talent, naturally, he had not seen anything at all.

The only reason he said so was because the girl was named Qing Lin.

"Ah?"

Qing Lin was somewhat startled!

This was the first time someone had praised her and asked whether she wanted to cultivate.

"Do you not want to cultivate and become stronger?" Lei Qi asked again.

"No, no..." Qing Lin hurriedly waved her little hands, then said, "I... I do, but I..."

Thinking of her circumstances, Qing Lin felt slightly worried and afraid.

"I am half snake-person and half human, I..." Qing Lin never found the courage to finish her sentence.

Yet Lei Qi placed a hand atop her little head. "What others think is not important. What matters is whether you yourself mind your identity."

Qing Lin raised her head. A misty sheen appeared in her large, watery eyes as she shook her head and said, "I... I do not mind."

"Then that is that. I do not mind either. Besides, once you become stronger, why would you need to care about the looks of others?" Lei Qi said gently.

Qing Lin, who had always suffered all kinds of bullying, was suddenly treated with such tenderness by Lei Qi that she did not know what to do.

At that moment, her heart felt very warm.

If possible, she truly wished time could freeze at this very instant.

"Do you want to follow me?" Lei Qi asked again at that moment.

"Qing Lin is willing to follow Young Master for the rest of her life." Qing Lin was not foolish. She could tell that Lei Qi truly intended to nurture her, and she answered from her heart.

"Mm." Lei Qi contentedly patted Qing Lin's little head, then said, "Do you have anything to pack? We will be leaving shortly."

"No, nothing." Qing Lin shook her head.

There was nothing in this place worth missing in the first place.

It could be said that she did not fit in with anything here.

"Alright, then let us go." Lei Qi had already risen.

His purpose in coming here was Qing Lin.

Now that he had found Qing Lin, there was naturally no need to stay any longer.

"Yes, Young Master."

After answering, Qing Lin followed Lei Qi outside.

Looking at Qing Lin's petite figure, Lei Qi's gaze suddenly drifted to the girl's slender waist, so slim it could barely be grasped in one hand. That delicate waist could completely rival Little Fairy Doctor's, and if it swayed??

It might be like... like a beautiful snake seductively twisting its waist.

Tsk, tsk.

She had talent, charm, and most importantly, once she acknowledged a master, she would surely be utterly loyal.

This trip had truly yielded abundant gains!

Taking Qing Lin with him, Lei Qi called for Little Fairy Doctor and Cao Ying before bidding farewell and leaving.

As for Qing Lin being taken away, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li did not say anything from beginning to end.

After all, Qing Lin herself was dispensable here. It was only because the two brothers were not desert natives and pitied her that they had given her a bite to eat.