ROCK DESERT CITY,QING LIN!!

Tager Desert, Eastern Region.

rock Desert City.

Due to its location deep in the desert, Rock Desert City had a more rustic and robust feel compared to cities within the empire. Perhaps because of its proximity to the Snake-People Tribe, the city's defenses were also significantly more fortified, with soldiers patrolling everywhere.

"This is Rock Desert City," Xie Tianxiao murmured to himself, eyeing the bustling soldiers as a flash of thought crossed his mind. "I wonder if that little girl, Qinglin, has already been taken in by the Xiao brothers."

After leaving Qingshan Town, Xie Tianxiao had made his way here. After confirming directions from some mercenaries, he finally arrived at Rock Desert City in the eastern tager Desert.

"Although it's still over half a year until the story unfolds, I shouldn't be too far off," Xie Tianxiao thought. He had come to Rock Desert City to find the little girl named Qinglin, who possessed the rare triple jade green snake flower pupils.

The triple jade green snake flower pupil was one of the world's most powerful ocular abilities, only manifesting in offspring between humans and snake-people. These eyes were the bane of all serpent-type magical beasts, capable of forcefully controlling all except those with ancient pure bloodlines. Not only that, but when fully matured, the triple jade green snake flower pupils could form a space within the eyes to imprison serpent-type beasts, slowly absorbing their power.

Although the process was slow and limited by strength, it was undeniably terrifying. Moreover, Qinglin had a gentle and adorable personality—how could Xie Tianxiao not like such a girl? Naturally, he had no intention of leaving her here to be found by Xiao Yan. That would be ridiculous. He wasn't foolish enough to do something that stupid.

"The Xiao brothers' mercenary group should be formed by now. I'll check it out," Xie Tianxiao mused. His soul energy spread out, instantly covering half of Rock Desert City.

Before long, based on the conversations within the city, Xie Tianxiao pinpointed the location of the mercenary group led by the Xiao brothers.

"Got it." With a slight movement, Xie Tianxiao appeared at the headquarters of the Iron Desert Mercenary Group.

"Hey! What business do you have here at our mercenary group?" A guard, startled by Xie Tianxiao's sudden appearance, quickly stopped him and asked.

 "Xiao Ding, Xiao Li. I have come to visit. Get out here and greet me," Xie Tianxiao said calmly, his voice resounding throughout the mercenary group's compound.

"What was that voice?"

"Not sure, but it seems to be looking for the leader."

"Pretty arrogant, isn't he?"

"Let's go see who's causing trouble!"

The mercenaries, hearing Xie Tianxiao's words, quickly stopped what they were doing and rushed outside, curious to see who had the audacity to challenge them.

"Who are you to call our leaders by name?" One of the guards was enraged, shouting at Xie Tianxiao. To him, this was an outrageous level of arrogance.

"Get lost." Without even glancing at them, Xie Tianxiao waved his hand, and the guards were instantly swept away by a powerful force, crashing to the ground and coughing up blood.

"So strong!" The mercenaries who had come to see the commotion swallowed hard, fear filling their eyes as they looked at Xie Tianxiao.

 "Who dares to trespass into our Iron Desert Mercenary Group so brazenly?" a voice called out. A young man in a white robe, followed by another in a mercenary uniform, appeared before Xie Tianxiao.

"Brother, who cares who he is? He dared to hurt our men. We need to make him pay!" the mercenary-clad man said furiously, pointing at Xie Tianxiao.

"Calm down, second brother. Don't act recklessly," the white-robed man said, frowning. He couldn't gauge Xie Tianxiao's strength, but the fact that this person dared to injure their men so nonchalantly indicated he was not to be underestimated.

"You must be Xiao Ding," Xie Tianxiao said, ignoring Xiao Li's outburst and turning his attention to Xiao Ding.

"Yes, that's me. May I ask what brings you here?" Xiao Ding replied politely, clasping his hands.

"Have you taken in a little girl named Qinglin?" Xie Tianxiao asked, his tone calm.

"Qinglin?" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged surprised glances before Xiao Ding nodded. "Yes, we have a girl named Qinglin with us. May I ask why you're looking for her?"

 "Does she have scales on her arm?" Xie Tianxiao asked, a trace of excitement flashing across his face. He had never seen Qinglin before, relying only on the original novel's descriptions.

"Yes, I found her wandering the streets a while back. She seemed pitiful, so I brought her to the group," Xiao Ding confirmed.

"Good. I've come to take her. Bring her out," Xie Tianxiao said, pleased with the confirmation.

"May I ask why you're looking for her?" Xiao Ding hesitated, although Qinglin was just an orphan they had taken in, he still felt a responsibility to inquire about her safety.

"That's none of your concern. Just know that I mean her no harm," Xie Tianxiao replied coolly.

"Very well," Xiao Ding nodded, sensing that pressing further would be unwise. He turned to one of the mercenaries and ordered, "Bring Qinglin out here."

"Yes, leader." The mercenary rushed off to fetch her.

…

Before long, the mercenary returned with a young girl. She wore a simple, light green outfit, her petite figure delicate and her youthful, somewhat shy face as beautiful as a porcelain doll.

"Qinglin," Xie Tianxiao's eyes lit up upon seeing her, and he immediately walked toward the girl.

Startled by the sudden attention, Qinglin took a step back. But seeing that Xie Tianxiao wasn't hostile, she relaxed slightly.

"Are you... looking for me?" Qinglin asked timidly, biting her lip as she gazed up at him, her voice small and hesitant.

Her timid demeanour made her look like a frightened little rabbit, evoking a sense of pity in those who saw her.

"Don't be nervous," Xie Tianxiao smiled kindly at her. "I'm here to take you away from this place, to somewhere better suited for you."

"Oh... but..." Qinglin hesitated, clearly conflicted. Though she was afraid to disobey, she also didn't want to trust him right away.

Xie Tianxiao noticed Qinglin's hesitation, so he spoke softly, "Say whatever is on your mind. I won't hold it against you." He could tell she didn't trust him, but he wasn't in any rush, patiently waiting for her response.

"Well... I am a half-snake person. I bring misfortune... How could I possibly follow someone as great as you?" Qinglin murmured, her head hanging low. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

She didn't know who this man was, the one who commanded such respect from the Xiao brothers, and couldn't understand why he would be looking for someone like her, who was often scorned by the world.

Moreover, Qinglin was grateful to the Iron Desert Mercenary Group for taking her in. They had given her food and shelter, saving her from a life of wandering. So, she was reluctant to leave despite Xie Tianxiao's offer.

"Half-snake or not, I don't care about such things," Xie Tianxiao said, gently patting her soft hair. "As for the nonsense about bringing misfortune, that's just the ignorance of fools. They don't know how to recognize true treasure."

"Really…?" Qinglin looked dazed, surprised by his indifference. She flinched slightly when she felt him touch her hair, her body trembling with unease. After a quick glance at Xie Tianxiao and seeing no malice in his actions, she relaxed a little.

"I wouldn't lie to you," Xie Tianxiao said calmly. Noticing her discomfort, he added, "If you don't like it, I won't touch you again."

He had no strange interest in a young girl of eleven or twelve, and there was no reason to make her uncomfortable.

 "N-no, it's fine," Qinglin bit her lip shyly, trying to reassure him. Although Xie Tianxiao's gesture had been unintentional, it had still left a significant impression on her innocent mind.

Xie Tianxiao chuckled softly at her bashfulness. His gaze fell on her wrist, where faint traces of scales could be seen beneath her sleeve. "Is that the snakeskin you're hiding?"

"Ah! Please don't look at it, sir! It's cursed!" Qinglin hurriedly pulled her hand back, hiding it in her sleeve as she nervously explained.

As a child born between a human and a snake-person, her scales were a visible reminder of her mixed heritage and the source of much of the ridicule and isolation she had endured.

"Cursed? Don't be afraid," Xie Tianxiao said gently. "These scales are not only beautiful but also a unique mark of who you are."

"Beautiful?" Qinglin's panicked expression froze for a moment, her eyes widening. Tentatively, she asked, "You don't think they're scary?"

This was the first time anyone had ever called her scales "beautiful."

"Scary? I've seen things far more terrifying than this," Xie Tianxiao said, shaking his head. He understood why she was so self-conscious. From a young age, she had been treated like a monster, and even she had come to believe her scales were a curse.

"But…" Qinglin's heart was warmed by his words, though doubt lingered in her mind.

"Enough with the 'buts.' I'm getting tired of hearing them," Xie Tianxiao sighed, cutting her off.

"Oh…" Qinglin fell silent, seeing that he was growing impatient. She quietly hid her wrist and bowed her head.

"That's better," Xie Tianxiao nodded approvingly. He then turned to Xiao Ding. "Xiao Ding, I'll be taking Qinglin with me. Do you have anything to say?"

 Xiao Ding was momentarily taken aback by the question. He glanced at Qinglin, then shook his head. "If Qinglin is willing, then I have no objections."

Xiao Ding was a smart and composed man. He knew from the start that Xie Tianxiao had come for Qinglin. The question was more of a formality—whether Xiao Ding agreed or not, the decision wasn't really in his hands. So, he left it up to Qinglin. If she wanted to go, he wouldn't stand in her way. If she didn't, Xie Tianxiao couldn't blame him for it.

"Qinglin, do you want to come with me?" Xie Tianxiao asked, turning to the timid girl.

"Ah…" Qinglin hesitated, not expecting him to ask her directly again. She was torn, unsure of what to do.

"Don't be afraid. Just say what you think. I won't be angry," Xie Tianxiao reassured her. Though he said this, if Qinglin refused, he would still take her by force. After all, leaving her here for Xiao Yan wasn't an option.

Qinglin glanced nervously between Xiao Ding and Xie Tianxiao before whispering, "Will you… will you hit or punish me if I make you angry?"

Qinglin didn't know what her life would be like after leaving the mercenary group. She was terrified that once they left, Xie Tianxiao might hurt or kill her if he grew displeased.

"Hit you?" Xie Tianxiao blinked in surprise, then laughed. "Qinglin, you're so well-behaved. Not only would I never hit or punish you, I'll make sure anyone who dares offend you disappears."

He cast a meaningful glance around the area as he said this, causing those watching to shiver in fear.

 "Who is this guy? He's terrifying."

"Yeah, I feel like he could kill me just by looking at me."

"That girl Qinglin is lucky to catch the eye of someone so powerful!"

The surrounding mercenaries whispered amongst themselves. Though their voices were low, Qinglin overheard, and her face flushed with embarrassment. She lowered her head, unable to meet Xie Tianxiao's gaze.

But then she remembered his praise and kind words from earlier. Gathering her courage, she lifted her head and spoke softly, "I'm willing to follow you, sir. I just… I just want to serve you as a maid."

"A maid?" Xie Tianxiao raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised by her offer.

"Is… is that not allowed?" Qinglin asked hesitantly, her head lowered again as she felt unsure.

"Qinglin, with your talent, you will one day be a powerful figure known across the continent. There's no need to lower yourself to the role of a mere maid. Besides, I don't need servants," Xie Tianxiao said, frowning slightly as he tried to dissuade her.

"Ah… so you don't want me anymore?" Qinglin panicked, her delicate face paling as fear gripped her.