Saintess Qinglin

Lu Xia nodded slightly, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

The terms offered by Sky Serpent Mansion were indeed sincere enough.

A personal disciple, the position of saintess, unlimited resources...

Qinglin staying here would be far better than following him around everywhere.

However... Lu Xia changed the subject, the smile still lingering on his lips:

"I'm very satisfied with Senior's arrangements for Qinglin."

"However, I have one more condition."

"I hope the Mansion Master can do me a favor."

The smile on Sky Serpent Ancestor's face faded slightly. As expected, he thought to himself.

He had known there was no such thing as a free lunch.

How could this young man, a Six-Star Dou Zong at such an age, possibly deliver the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to his doorstep for nothing?

So this was what he had been waiting for.

Sky Serpent Ancestor calculated rapidly in his heart.

"Was he going to make an outrageous demand?"

"Ask for heavenly treasures or rare cultivation techniques?"

"Or did he want to borrow Sky Serpent Mansion's influence to do something?"

He narrowed his eyes and studied Lu Xia for several seconds before breaking into a hearty laugh and waving his hand.

"Whatever you need, young friend, just say it!"

"As long as Sky Serpent Mansion possesses it, everything is negotiable!"

Though he said that, he was already prepared to bleed heavily.

As long as the request was not excessive, he could agree to it for the sake of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.

After all, Qinglin's value was far beyond that of such external possessions.

Seeing his pained expression as he pretended to be generous, Lu Xia secretly found it amusing.

He shook his head slightly, his tone calm.

"Senior has misunderstood."

"I don't want any treasures or resources."

"My condition is that I hope Senior can take action for me once."

Hmm?

Sky Serpent Ancestor was stunned, taking a moment to process it.

No treasures?

He wanted him to help?

That was rather unexpected.

He had assumed Lu Xia would take the opportunity to demand a great deal of cultivation resources. Even a Dou Zong powerhouse needed heavenly treasures.

Yet he merely wanted him to help fight?

Sky Serpent Ancestor raised a brow, intrigued, and asked in a deep voice:

"Oh? Just take action once?"

"May I ask what level of opponent you intend to deal with, young friend?"

"If it is a Dou Venerate... then I'm afraid I'm powerless to help."

Though he was a Nine-Star Dou Zong, only one step away from becoming a Dou Venerate, that single step was the difference between heaven and earth.

If it really was a Dou Venerate, going there would be nothing more than suicide.

Lu Xia laughed involuntarily.

"Senior, you jest."

"It isn't a Dou Venerate."

"I merely want to ask Senior to hold off one or two Dou Zongs for me."

"And there's no need for a fight to the death. You only need to keep them occupied."

"Senior needn't reveal his identity, either. Just conceal your face when you act."

Dou Zongs?

Sky Serpent Ancestor relaxed at once.

He had thought it would be some formidable enemy.

They were merely Dou Zongs.

As a dignified Nine-Star Dou Zong, he feared no one beneath the Dou Venerate realm!

"I wondered what it was."

Sky Serpent Ancestor laughed loudly. "Isn't it just lending a hand? A trivial matter!"

"No problem. I agree!"

In his eyes, making one move in exchange for an inheritor of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was an absurdly profitable deal!

Seeing how readily he agreed, Lu Xia also breathed a sigh of relief.

Both goals of this trip to Sky Serpent Mansion had been achieved.

He had found Qinglin the best possible home and gained the aid of a Nine-Star Dou Zong.

His confidence for the trip to Jia Nan Academy two months from now had grown even greater.

A smile appeared on his face as he cupped his hands toward Sky Serpent Ancestor.

"Then I must thank you, Senior."

"I'll have to trouble Senior to take good care of Qinglin from now on."

"I believe she certainly won't disappoint you."

With that, Lu Xia turned and looked at Qinglin standing beside him.

She had been quietly standing at his side, listening to his conversation with Sky Serpent Ancestor, looking as though she understood but did not fully understand.

But she had understood one thing: Brother Xia was going to leave her here.

Looking into her innocent eyes, Lu Xia's heart softened, and he spoke gently.

"Qinglin."

"You'll stay here and cultivate from now on."

"This place has the inheritance best suited to you, as well as the best master."

"Cultivate diligently. Perhaps one day, you'll become even stronger than Brother Xia."

Qinglin looked up at Lu Xia in a daze.

A mist of tears gradually filled her large eyes.

She had never imagined... Brother Xia had brought her here to leave her behind.

Although she knew Brother Xia was doing it for her own good, she... she did not want to be separated from him.

"Brother Xia..."

Qinglin's voice trembled with tears as she tightly clutched Lu Xia's sleeve, her eyes reddening.

"Then... then will Qinglin be able to see you again in the future?"

As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks like pearls from a broken string.

Lu Xia could not bear to see it. He reached out and gently wiped away her tears, comforting her warmly.

"Of course you will."

"As long as Qinglin cultivates well and grows stronger, you can come find Brother Xia anytime."

"Brother Xia will also come visit you often."

"Mm..."

Qinglin nodded hard, tears still hanging from her face as she looked pitifully delicate.

She said earnestly:

"Qinglin will cultivate diligently!"

"When Qinglin becomes stronger, I'll protect Brother Xia!"

Her childish voice carried unwavering determination.

Lu Xia reached out and rubbed her head, saying with a smile:

"Good. Brother Xia will wait for that day."

"Go on. Go pay respects to your master."

Qinglin reluctantly released Lu Xia's sleeve and wiped her tears.

She turned toward Sky Serpent Ancestor, who sat in the seat of honor.

The old man was looking at her kindly, his eyes filled with eagerness and affection.

Qinglin took a deep breath and slowly walked before Sky Serpent Ancestor.

She knelt down and respectfully kowtowed, her voice clear and crisp.

"Disciple Qinglin pays respects to Master!"

Sky Serpent Ancestor looked at the disciple he had longed for and burst into hearty laughter.

"Good, good, good!"

"Get up! Quickly, get up!"

He hurriedly reached out to help Qinglin up. His aged hands trembled slightly, clearly overwhelmed with excitement.

"Good disciple, don't worry!"

"Your master will certainly do everything in my power to nurture you into an unmatched expert!"

"And restore the glory of Sky Serpent Mansion!"

The more Sky Serpent Ancestor looked at Qinglin, the more satisfied he became.

The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, exceptional innate talent, and a gentle, sensible disposition as well.

Seeing this, several elders on either side of the great hall stepped forward together. They cupped their hands toward Sky Serpent Ancestor and said in unison:

"Congratulations, Ancestor! Your wish has been fulfilled!"

"Congratulations, Ancestor, on gaining such an excellent disciple!"

Sky Serpent Ancestor beamed with joy, his spirits soaring.

He swept his gaze around the hall and announced in a ringing voice:

"From this day onward, Qinglin is the final disciple of I, She Tianchen!"

"At the same time, Qinglin is hereby invested as the saintess of Sky Serpent Mansion!"

"Her status is second only to mine!"

"Within the mansion, seeing the saintess is the same as seeing me!"

His deep voice resounded throughout the entire hall.

The elders' expressions grew solemn, and they bowed together in response:

"We obey!"

Then they turned and saluted Qinglin in unison.

"Greetings, Saintess!"

The spectacle was grand, solemn, and dignified.

Qinglin had never seen such a scene before and was somewhat at a loss.

She hurriedly waved her hands and said flusteredly:

"No... no need for formalities!"

"Everyone, please get up!"

Sky Serpent Ancestor stroked his beard, smiling kindly.

The atmosphere in the great hall was warm and harmonious.

Standing to one side and watching this scene, the last trace of concern in Lu Xia's heart vanished.

Qinglin would live well here.

Sky Serpent Mansion would treasure her and nurture her with all their strength.

He could finally go and do what he needed to do without worry.