Awakening the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils

Reminded by Xiao Yan, Yao Lao suddenly saw the light.

Thinking carefully about the possibility, he really did recall a certain constitution and hurriedly told Xiao Yan his deduction:

"If I'm not mistaken, this little girl may possess the legendary Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. Pretending to be shocked, he asked inwardly:

"The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils? What are those?"

Yao Lao explained, "They are the most miraculous eyes on the Dou Qi Continent. They allow their owner to forcibly control any snake-type magical beast, except, of course, purebred ancient divine beasts."

Xiao Yan nodded. "I see. But Teacher, we haven't confirmed Qing Lin's ability yet. Why don't we go test her now?"

Yao Lao shook his head. "She's too young. Even if she has those eyes, we don't know how to awaken them. Let nature take its course!"

But Xiao Yan didn't give up. Instead, he took a different approach and continued:

"Teacher, if we subject her to a strong emotional stimulus, would the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils appear?"

After pondering for a moment, Yao Lao curled his index finger against his lips and said thoughtfully:

"Emotional stimulation is indeed one way, but could you bear to treat her like that?"

"When you met Xiao Yi Xian before, you took care of her in every possible way..."

"And Qing Lin's circumstances are the same as yours were in the past. You saved her because you empathized with her, right? So could you bear to hurt her?"

But Xiao Yan chuckled and retorted:

"Teacher, you're too shallow. Are hitting and scolding the only ways to stimulate someone's emotions? It's time I showed you what I, Xiao Yan, can do!"

With that, the youth immediately cut off contact with Yao Lao. He looked straight at Qing Lin, took her hand, and pulled her into his arms.

"Huh?! Young Master Xiao Yan..."

Qing Lin cried out, a blush spreading across her face. Her hands struggled, yet she didn't want to escape Xiao Yan's embrace, leaving her utterly conflicted.

Xiao Yan chuckled, paying no heed to the girl's resistance. He reached out and intertwined his fingers with hers, then began to speak flirtatiously.

"Little Qing Lin, do you know why I've been helping you so much?"

Qing Lin blinked her large, bright eyes. Though shy, she still asked curiously, "Why?"

The youth adjusted his position and lifted Qing Lin onto his lap. His expression turned serious as he said:

"Because you're a lot like I used to be. You're often bullied and ostracized, and few people are willing to care about you."

"Three years ago, I lost all my Dou Qi and suffered countless scornful looks. Later, my fiancée broke off our engagement, and my clan gave me the cold shoulder."

"So the moment I met you, I thought of my past self. I couldn't help feeling pity for you. I suppose it was a way to make up for a regret from my past..."

Qing Lin stared blankly at Xiao Yan, covering her little mouth as she murmured, "Young Master..."

When she first met Xiao Yan, she had thought he was the young master of some great clan.

Only now, hearing what Xiao Yan had said, did she understand what he had been through.

In an instant, a powerful sense of empathy surged in Qing Lin's heart, and she couldn't help shedding tears again.

At the same time, green light abruptly shot from her eyes, forming three lovely petals in their whites that spun without stopping.

Staring at her eyes, Xiao Yan froze for a moment. Then he realized what had happened and chuckled inwardly:

"Well, Teacher? Impressive, aren't I?"

Hearing this, Yao Lao, inside the ancient black ring, couldn't help giving a wry chuckle. He raised his thumb and said:

"You little brat, you really do have your ways!"

"I'm impressed!"

He had naturally seen everything Xiao Yan had done.

In truth, there was nothing difficult about simply telling that story. He could have done it too.

But the important thing was that Xiao Yan had truly immersed himself in those emotions. That was the rarest part.

Come to think of it, if he hadn't experienced it himself, how could Xiao Yan have told the story with such emotion?

"Thank you for the compliment!"

Xiao Yan said modestly. Then he looked at Qing Lin again and said gravely:

"So, Little Qing Lin, are you still willing to follow me? Someone who only helped you out of pity might not be worth following..."

He gave a self-deprecating smile and released the girl. He was just about to leave quietly when Qing Lin caught his arm and pulled him back with all her strength.

Qing Lin raised her thin little head and looked at him resolutely. "I'm willing!"

With that, she added:

"Although I haven't had much of an education, I still understand that kindness should be repaid."

"No matter why Young Master Xiao Yan helped me, I'll always remember it. So as long as it's something you ask of me and I'm able to do it, I'll do my best."

As soon as she finished, Qing Lin rubbed her head against the youth's arm and said affectionately:

"And you're so considerate, Young Master Xiao Yan. I've already fallen for you!"

A trace of indulgence flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. He rubbed the girl's head and used the heat of his fire-attribute Dou Qi to dry her damp hair.

Then, playing with her hair and pinching her little face, Xiao Yan teased:

"Little Qing Lin, what you just said... was really too cute!"

Qing Lin narrowed her eyes and replied with a sweet smile:

"Aren't you the same, Young Master Xiao Yan? You were clearly helping me, yet you took the blame onto yourself. You're such a big fool!"

Xiao Yan smacked the girl on the head and scolded her with mock severity. "You little brat, you already dare to tease me? Just you wait and see how I deal with you..."

Before he finished speaking, he pounced on Qing Lin like a tiger and began tickling her.

Qing Lin giggled under his tickling and begged for mercy over and over. "Spare me, Young Master Xiao Yan! I won't dare do it again..."

The two of them played and tussled like this, and before long, several hours had passed.

Warm light streamed in through the window. By now, the sun was setting in the west.

Only when the waiter knocked and came in with their meal did they stop playing.

"Honored guests, your meal is ready. Please enjoy!"

The waiter took out a tray, placed the dishes on the table one by one, and carefully introduced them.

"This is steamed lamb cake, that's steamed deer paw, and there's also roast chicken and roast duck. They're all house specialties, along with the snake soup..."

Although these ingredients were rarely seen in the desert, the little inn could still obtain some through the mercenary groups' channels.

Faced with a big customer like Xiao Yan, the waiter naturally didn't dare be careless or perfunctory, and did his utmost to recommend the establishment's specialties.

Perhaps if the customer was pleased, he would come back and spend money here next time. Wouldn't that mean another regular customer?

The waiter thought this to himself, and the smile on his face grew even brighter.

Xiao Yan didn't interrupt his sales pitch. Only after listening quietly to the entire introduction did he ask the waiter to leave.

Then Xiao Yan turned to Qing Lin and found her staring blankly at the food, drool running from the corner of her mouth. Yet she still looked somewhat reserved and didn't dare start eating right away.

Seeing Qing Lin like this, Xiao Yan couldn't help laughing.

"You little greedy cat, if you want to eat, go ahead. There's no need to act so restrained..."

As he spoke, he broke off a chicken leg and held it out to the girl, promptly plugging her little cherry lips with it.