After taking the little girl into his arms again, Xiao Cha glanced at everyone present and headed straight for Stone Desert City's Flying Post Station.
After displaying his Alchemist Badge, he chartered a Thick-Winged Bird and flew toward Desert City.
Xiao Cha carefully laid the little girl on the Soft Couch in the room, took out a Healing Pill, dissolved it in water, and gave it to her to drink.
After drinking the medicine, the little girl lay quietly on the Soft Couch, watching Xiao Cha with her large, blinking eyes. Without her even noticing, the wounds on her body rapidly healed.
"What are you looking at me for? Oh, right, what's your name?"
Qing Lin shook her head at his question.
"Nothing. My name is Qing Lin. What's your name, big brother? Is it Xuan Gu? What a strange name."
Xiao Cha paused in surprise, then removed his disguise and revealed his true appearance.
"That was just a disguise to keep people from noticing me. My real name is Han Chen."
Qing Lin's eyes lit up at the sight of Han Chen's handsome face, and her smile brightened.
"What a lovely name! Oh, right, big brother, you were so amazing back there..."
Watching the excited little girl, Han Chen smiled warmly as well.
"If it were Yanran, the two of you would surely get along."
After listening to Qing Lin chatter for a while, Han Chen raised a hand to interrupt her.
"What do you plan to do next? I've already taken you out of Stone Desert City. No one will bully you anymore, and no one will recognize you, much less hate you for who you are."
Qing Lin fell silent. Only after a while did she look at Han Chen, apprehension and a spark of newfound courage in her eyes.
"I... can I stay with you, Big Brother Han Chen? Even though I'm useless, even though I'm weak, even though I..."
The more Qing Lin spoke, the more flustered she became, her hands waving helplessly in front of her.
Han Chen couldn't help laughing at the sight of her.
"What sort of introduction is that? Who introduces themselves by listing nothing but their flaws?"
"I... I..."
"All right. If you want to stay with me, you're more than welcome. But think it through. Danger lurks on every side around me, and I've made more enemies than the grains of rice you eat at every meal. You need to be sure."
Seeing Qing Lin's dazed expression, Han Chen waved a hand, his face suddenly turning serious.
But when Qing Lin heard Han Chen say that he had more enemies than the grains of rice she ate at each meal, she counted on her fingers and couldn't help pursing her lips.
"That's not very many at all~"
"What did you say?"
"N-nothing. Please keep going, big brother."
Han Chen cleared his throat.
"Since you want to stay with me, I'll give you two choices. The first is to stay by my side as a maid. Don't worry, I'll provide everything you need-food, clothes, lodging, and travel. If you want to live your own life someday, just say the word, and you'll be free to go.
"As for the second, you'll still be my maid, but choosing this means you must never betray me for as long as you live. In return, whatever you need, as long as I have it, I'll supply without limit.
"But the price is heavy, too. Traitors never meet a good end, wherever they go. Think it through."
With that, Han Chen leaned back and leisurely crossed his legs, waiting for Qing Lin's answer.
After hearing Han Chen's two choices, Qing Lin answered firmly, without the slightest hesitation.
"I choose the second. You gave me food, big brother, and took me out of that hell. So I choose the second."
Han Chen leaned forward and looked into Qing Lin's eyes.
"Why? It was only a steamed bun and a Flight Ticket. Anyone could have taken you away."
Watching Han Chen's face draw closer, Qing Lin blushed slightly, but she still mustered her courage.
"Because you once said, big brother, that everyone has unfortunate times, but they also have lucky times.
"My misfortune was everything I suffered in Stone Desert City, but my good fortune was meeting you, big brother. So I have no regrets!"
Seeing Qing Lin's resolve, Han Chen smiled warmly and reached out to stroke her head, then said something unexpected.
"In that case, how about becoming my disciple? Because the things I study are unusual, I still don't have anyone to pass them on to. What do you think?"
Qing Lin went blank for a moment at those words, then looked at Han Chen, a trace of disbelief flashing in her eyes.
"Me? But I've never cultivated before..."
Han Chen's lips curved upward, and he vigorously ruffled her hair again.
"You just decide whether you want to. Leave everything else to me!"
"So... so forceful."
Qing Lin gazed at Han Chen with stars in her eyes. Once she came to her senses, she knelt and bowed to him, speaking respectfully.
"Your disciple Qing Lin pays her respects to Master."
Han Chen was a little surprised that Qing Lin had truly accepted him as her master, but he then stepped forward and helped her up, his face full of smiles.
"Good. From now on, you're my eldest disciple. Though I have nothing right now, someday I'll give you the grandest disciple initiation ceremony on the entire continent."
After helping Qing Lin up, Han Chen took out a Storage Ring and handed it to her.
"Consider this a small initiation gift from me. Inside are a hundred bottles of Yellow Dragon Pills, a hundred bottles of Golden Marrow Pills, and some ordinary talismans. Use them for now. If they aren't enough, tell me. I have plenty more."
At the words "a hundred bottles," Qing Lin was instantly stunned speechless. Looking at the little silver ring in her hand, she murmured,
"A hundred bottles... that many?"
Although she had never seen an Alchemist before, she still knew that a hundred bottles was rather extravagant.
"Master, isn't this enough to open a medicine shop?"
Seeing how little Qing Lin knew of the world, Han Chen waved his hand grandly.
"What's that worth? Your master might not have much else, but I have plenty of pills. I could feed you all the way to Dou Zun!
"As for cultivation... that's a little tricky. Though I have quite a few cultivation methods, not many are suitable for you.
"But don't worry. I'll definitely find you a suitable cultivation method someday. For now, you can learn a side discipline to help you get by."
As Han Chen spoke at ease, Qing Lin tilted her little head in confusion.
"A side discipline? What's that?"
At Qing Lin's question, Han Chen cleared his throat and straightened his robes, a note of pride entering his voice.
"My studies cover quite a lot. Swordsmanship, alchemy, Beast Taming, Fire Control, insect control, Puppet Refining, talismans, formations, and Artifact Refining-I've dabbled in them all. It just depends on what you want to learn."
The stars in Qing Lin's eyes shone even brighter, enough to light up the entire private cabin.
"Wow, they all sound so amazing! I want to learn them all."
"Haha, you've got ambition! Just what I'd expect from a disciple of mine. Your body is too weak right now, so there are many things you can't learn yet. I'll teach you basic swordsmanship first. It'll help strengthen your body, too."
As he spoke, Han Chen took out a somewhat worn booklet and handed it to Qing Lin.
"This is the Azure Essence Sword Art. These are its first three levels, which will let you cultivate to the Dou Shi realm. It's the very cultivation method I practice. You can take a look first.
"As for the later portions, I'll give them to you once your cultivation reaches that point."
Qing Lin carefully accepted the Azure Essence Sword Art as though she had acquired a priceless treasure. Cradling it protectively against her chest, she nodded at Han Chen.
"Rest assured, Master. I'll work hard at my cultivation."
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