Ghost Suppression Pass, Jia Nan Academy Recruitment Team

Nothing happened that night.

Early the next morning, while the sky was still dim, the three of them finished packing and set out.

At the edge of the Tagor Desert, the yellow sands gradually thinned.

The three traveled east all the way.

After her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils awakened, Qinglin's temperament changed drastically. There was now a lively spark in her eyes and brows.

Her pale green dress swayed gently in the wind, and her features were as lovely as a painting.

Medusa walked beside Lu Xia, still wearing a white veil.

Only her violet eyes were visible, cold and noble, carrying an innate air of authority.

Lu Xia wore flowing white robes and cut a handsome, refined figure.

He concealed his cultivation as a Two-Star Dou Zong, making him look like nothing more than an ordinary young master from a noble family.

The three traveled in silence, neither too fast nor too slow.

Heading east, they passed through Black Rock City.

The city stood at the edge of the desert and was an important hub for entering and leaving the Tagor Desert.

Lu Xia did not linger and continued on his way.

Several days later.

A towering, majestic pass stretched across the horizon ahead.

Above the city gate hung three forceful characters: Ghost Suppression Pass!

This was a major border stronghold of the Jia Ma Empire and a vital passage leading to the eastern nations.

Merchants and travelers flowed endlessly in and out of the pass, and the area buzzed with voices.

"Brother Xia, is that Ghost Suppression Pass ahead? It's so magnificent!"

Qinglin tilted her head back to look at the towering walls that seemed to pierce the clouds, her eyes filled with amazement.

This was the first time in her life she had seen such a grand fortress.

"Mm."

Lu Xia nodded, his gaze narrowing slightly.

"Once we pass Ghost Suppression Pass and continue east, we'll be leaving the territory of the Jia Ma Empire."

Qinglin suddenly stopped, her brows furrowing slightly.

The dou qi within her body unexpectedly began to stir on its own.

It charged wildly through her meridians, faintly showing signs of a breakthrough.

"Brother Xia... I-I think I'm about to break through."

Qinglin's little face reddened as she spoke somewhat bashfully.

Hearing that, Lu Xia swept his divine sense over her and sensed the situation within her body.

The bloodline power of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was continuously nourishing her meridians and dantian.

"Perfect."

Lu Xia smiled faintly.

"We'll stay at Ghost Suppression Pass for two days and leave after you break through."

"With your talent, breaking through to Dou Master will come naturally."

Qinglin nodded firmly, her face full of anticipation.

Medusa listened quietly from the side, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes.

How long had it even been?

From a maid with no cultivation at all to someone on the verge of breaking through to Dou Master...

The cultivation speed granted by the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was truly terrifying.

The three entered Ghost Suppression Pass.

The streets within the pass were broad, lined with shops, and crowded with people. It was prosperous and bustling.

As a major border stronghold, it drew merchants and mercenaries from every direction.

Lu Xia found a fairly decent inn and booked three adjacent rooms.

Qinglin entered her room, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to throw all her strength into breaking through to the Dou Master realm.

Lu Xia and Medusa entered the room next door.

Inside the room.

Lu Xia sat by the window, sipping tea with a calm expression.

Medusa sat in a chair nearby with her eyes closed, her divine sense continuously monitoring the activity next door.

She could sense Qinglin's dou qi steadily rising.

"Worthy of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils."

Medusa suddenly opened her eyes and sighed softly.

"After her talent awakened, her cultivation speed became this astonishing."

"It has only been this long, and she is already about to break through to Dou Master."

There was a hint of envy in her voice.

Cultivating was not easy for the Snake-People Tribe. She had reached her current level only through a hundred years of arduous cultivation.

Yet Qinglin had cultivated at astonishing speed through bloodline talent alone. Reaching Dou Emperor would likely not be difficult for her.

Holding his teacup, Lu Xia turned to look at her, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

"What, are you jealous?"

Medusa snorted coldly and lifted her chin slightly.

"Jealous? Why would I be jealous?"

"Once my bloodline evolves, my talent may not be inferior to the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils."

The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python was a legendary supreme bloodline of the Snake-People Tribe.

Once the evolution succeeded, her future would be limitless!

Lu Xia could not help laughing when he saw her haughty expression.

"Of course~"

"My bloodline is hardly comparable to that of ordinary snake-people~"

He imitated Medusa's tone and teased her.

"You!"

Medusa glared at him.

That bastard actually copied her words to mock her!

She turned her head away, ignored him, and continued watching over Qinglin.

Lu Xia smiled and stopped teasing her, turning his attention to the room next door as well.

Time passed second by second.

The fluctuations of Qinglin's dou qi grew stronger and stronger.

The bloodline power of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was merging with her dou qi.

Qinglin's aura rose at an astonishing speed.

Peak Nine-Star Dou Zhe!

Half-Step Dou Master!

Dou Master!

"Buzz—"

A faint ripple came from the room next door.

Qinglin's aura settled at One-Star Dou Master.

The breakthrough was over, and the entire process had gone exceptionally smoothly.

Lu Xia set down his teacup and rose to his feet.

"Let's go."

He smiled slightly at Medusa.

"Qinglin has finished breaking through. Let's go see her."

Medusa stood as well and nodded gently.

The two left the room and came to Qinglin's door, quietly waiting in the corridor.

Having just broken through, Qinglin needed some time to stabilize her realm.

Not long afterward.

"Creak!"

The door opened from within.

Qinglin walked out with an excited expression.

The moment she looked up, she saw Lu Xia and Medusa standing outside.

"Brother Xia! Sister Medusa!"

Qinglin happily rushed toward them, her voice crisp and bright.

"I did it! I'm a Dou Master now!"

As she spoke, she clenched her fists.

The feeling of power filling her body made her heart brim with joy.

At the same time, she was filled with gratitude toward Lu Xia.

He had given her all of this.

If she had not met Brother Xia, she would still be a maid in the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

Seeing her delighted appearance, Lu Xia smiled and stroked her hair.

"Not bad."

"Your talent already far surpasses ordinary people. Your strength is growing stronger and stronger."

Qinglin's cheeks reddened from the praise, and her heart felt sweet.

Medusa spoke from the side as well, her tone much gentler than usual.

"Congratulations."

Though it was only two short words, it was already rare warmth from her.

Qinglin nodded firmly, her face full of determination.

"Mm! I'll definitely work hard!"

"I won't disappoint Brother Xia or Sister Medusa!"

Lu Xia said with a smile:

"Qinglin has broken through, so let's continue our journey."

Neither Qinglin nor Medusa objected.

The three finished packing and left the inn.

They walked along the main street of Ghost Suppression Pass.

The crowds were dense, shoulder to shoulder.

Shops lined both sides of the street, and cries of vendors rose and fell endlessly, making the place exceptionally lively.

Qinglin looked around curiously, finding everything fresh and new.

Just then, a group approached from ahead.

At its head was a woman dressed in a blue-green gown. Her demeanor was steady, and her steps were unhurried.

A Da Dou Shi was considered an important figure even in Ghost Suppression Pass.

Behind her followed more than a dozen young men and women.

They were all smartly dressed, clearly from distinguished backgrounds.

The young men and women chattered away as they curiously looked around.

Lu Xia paused, his gaze falling on that group.

"Xun'er, look over there! There are so many fun things!"

"It's much livelier than Wu Tan City!"