Xiao Hua ignored Xue Lan, who was in the middle of explaining Qing Lin's situation and the reason for her presence. Instead, he quietly observed Qing Lin's appearance with a thoughtful gaze.
Qing Lin had black hair styled into two braided pigtails, each tied with fluffy white hair accessories and green ribbons. Her delicate, oval-shaped face resembled that of a porcelain doll—adorable and refined.
Her timid demeanor resembled that of a frightened rabbit, stirring a sense of pity in both Xiao Hua and the Little Fairy Doctor.
She wore a green and white outfit with a high-collared halter-neck design. A green ribbon bow was tied neatly at her neckline, while intricate embroidery adorned the chest area, exuding a gentle and nature-loving aura.
Detached sleeves began just below her shoulders, wrapping gracefully around her arms and secured with green bands. Light and decorative, the sleeves added to her elegant and feminine appearance.
Her skirt was knee-length and pleated, made from a darker shade of green. Its simple and flowing design matched the modest and gentle style of her overall outfit. Her legs were covered with white tights, keeping her appearance proper and respectful—befitting someone in service, or a young lady from a sect.
I should have recognized her as Qing Lin the moment I noticed those disgusted gazes directed at her. Her timid and frightened expression should have been another clear sign…
Xiao Hua sighed inwardly, feeling regret for not realizing it sooner. It should have been obvious from the start.
As Qing Lin continued picking up the raw ingredients scattered across the floor, Xiao Hua discreetly glanced at her snow-white wrist. Sure enough, faint green snake scales could be seen, peeking out of her sleeves.
Just then, Qing Lin, still focused on gathering the ingredients, sensed his stillness. She lifted her head and saw Xiao Hua staring fixedly at something. Following the direction of his gaze, her eyes slowly drifted downward—only to stop at her exposed arm, where the green scales shimmered faintly.
"Ah!"
With a gasp of shock, her adorable face turned pale. She hurriedly pulled down her sleeve and sprang to her feet, stumbling back in a flurry of panic and anxiety.
After that, she hugged her small legs with both hands, leaned into the corner of the wall, and squatted down. Her petite body began to tremble.
"I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to scare you..."
The little girl shivered as she clutched her knees, her timid voice cracking slightly with anxiety. Streaks of tears slowly slid down her delicate cheeks.
Xiao Hua felt at loss in the face of Qing Lin's fragile and sensitive state. He glanced at the Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan, silently hoping they would step in to help.
But after hearing from Xue Lan about Qing Lin's past, both girls couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pity and sorrow. Their expressions turned gloomy, their eyes filled with sympathy. Instead of helping, they shot sharp glares at Xiao Hua, silently blaming him for staring at the scales—something Qing Lin was clearly self-conscious about.
Realizing he had to handle this himself, Xiao Hua let out a soft sigh and stood up. He carefully approached the trembling girl, making sure not to startle her. Gently lowering himself to her level, he softly patted her head.
Once he sensed that she had calmed down a little, he reached out and gently took her hand. Under her frightened gaze, he carefully rolled up her sleeve, revealing the green snake scales on her wrist.
With a gentle and soothing voice, he said, "You have such beautiful scales... Don't you think it's a shame to hide them away from the world?"
Hearing those words, Qing Lin's frightened expression turned blank with disbelief.
Since the day she was born, no one had ever called her scales beautiful. Not even once. Even she herself feared and slightly despised them. These very scales had brought her nothing but ridicule and disgust from others.
Yet now, Xiao Hua had spoken those words without hesitation—words she never imagined hearing in her lifetime.
In the depths of Qing Lin's fragile heart, a strange warmth began to rise, gently seeping into her wounded spirit. Slowly, she lifted her head and opened her eyes, cautiously meeting Xiao Hua's gaze as if trying to read the truth behind his expression.
Noticing her looking at him, Xiao Hua shifted his gaze toward her and smiled gently, his eyes filled with warmth and sincerity that seemed to soothe the fear lingering in her heart.
"The one who should apologize is me," he said softly. "I'm sorry for startling you and making you afraid."
Seeing no trace of falsehood in his expression—only genuine kindness—Qing Lin felt her heart grow lighter. A faint sense of joy quietly bloomed within her, though her fear had not yet fully disappeared.
As Xiao Hua gently rolled her sleeve back down to cover her wrist, she lowered her eyes and timidly asked, "Young Master... are you not afraid of me?"
Despite being a maid, Qing Lin had heard about Xiao Hua from Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. Seeing how respectful Xue Lan was toward him, and how she addressed him courteously, Qing Lin quickly realized—this must be the very person the Company Leaders had spoken of.
Xiao Hua paused in his tracks, surprised that Qing Lin had spoken up. But then, he offered a faint smile and said reassuringly,
"I've seen many things in this world. Something like this isn't enough to scare me—nor should it be a reason for you to be afraid of yourself."
Qing Lin stared at him quietly, her eyes filled with uncertainty. Deep in her heart, an unfamiliar emotion began to stir, slowly rising to the surface… but she couldn't quite name it.
"Xiao Hua, can we bring her with us?" the Little Fairy Doctor asked softly, her heart aching for Qing Lin. She didn't want to leave the girl behind in this cold and cruel place—a place where she was treated as less than dirt.
Xiao Hua felt troubled by her request. He too wished to bring Qing Lin along, to show her that her problem wasn't something to be afraid and ashamed of. Perhaps, with time, she could gain the confidence she lacked and see herself in a better light.
However, this was not a decision that should be made by him—or by anyone else. It was something only Qing Lin herself could choose.
"Let her decide," Xiao Hua said calmly.
Little Fairy Doctor nodded in response, her eyes full of hope as she turned to look at Qing Lin.
Xiao Hua turned to the green-clothed young girl and said gently, "If you don't mind… why don't you travel with us?"
"Travel… with Young Master and the Young Ladies?" Qing Lin flinched slightly, surprised by the offer. Her voice trembled with confusion and disbelief.
Xiao Hua nodded and lightly placed a hand on her shoulder. His gaze was calm, his voice firm yet gentle.
"I know the way people have looked at you—like you don't belong, like you're never enough. And I know that you've started to carry their judgment like a second skin. But you weren't born to please them, or to shrink so they can feel big."
"You were born to live your story, not theirs. Their words are not laws, and their opinions are not truth. Let them watch if they want—but don't stop walking. You are not their reflection. You are your own flame."
Qing Lin stared at him, dazed. Her eyes remained fixed on his warm, sincere smile. For reasons she couldn't explain, her heart felt calm—soothed in a way she had never felt before.
After a long silence, a soft radiance began to glow on her delicate face. Her small nose twitched slightly, holding back the rising emotion.
Lifting her face, she smiled—beautiful and bright. In that moment, the three tiny green spots within her dark green eyes surfaced silently, gleaming like starlight in a quiet forest.
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Hua… but I—"
Before she could finish, Xiao Hua smiled again, as if he already understood. Gently, he reached out his hand toward her once more—ignoring the appearance of the three green spots in her eyes, as if they meant nothing at all.
"Qing Lin," Xiao Hua said gently, "in a world so vast and unpredictable, there will always be pockets of warmth meant just for you. People who won't try to mold you into something you're not—who won't measure your worth with their own broken rulers. So why remain in a place that hurts you, seeking acceptance from those who've never truly seen you?"
"Come with me instead. I may not be your guiding star, but under my sky, I promise—you'll never have to apologize for simply being yourself."
Qing Lin stared at his outstretched hand. Her lips trembled, and a strange, hard-to-describe emotion flickered across her delicate face. Her small nose twitched as her eyes turned red and misty, tears welling up uncontrollably.
Then, after a brief moment of silence, she nodded with a bright, tearful smile, shaking her head as if to chase away the last of her doubts. She gently placed her hand in his and said with determination,
"I will follow you, Young Master Xiao Hua… Please take care of me."
Xiao Hua smiled and gently helped her to her feet, his grip firm and reassuring. Then he turned toward Xue Lan.
"My apologies, Xue Lan," he said calmly, "but it seems I'll need to speak with the First and Second Young Masters again."
Xue Lan smiled warmly, a sense of relief softening her expression as she glanced at Qing Lin. "Then I shall wait for the good news," she said, her voice light and full of hope.
Xiao Hua turned and returned to the main hall, where Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were waiting alongside Qing Lin.
After a brief explanation and confirmation, both Xiao Ding and Xiao Li readily agreed to let Qing Lin follow Xiao Hua. They trusted his character and believed that, under his care, Qing Lin would never be mistreated.
Before Qing Lin left to pack her things, Xiao Hua handed her a high-grade storage ring.
Naturally, she tried to refuse at first. But seeing that Xiao Hua showed no intention of taking it back—and even said he had plenty to spare—she eventually accepted it, albeit reluctantly.
'Pockets of warmth meant just for you, huh…'
As she watched Xiao Hua handle everything for Qing Lin with quiet thoughtfulness, the Little Fairy Doctor couldn't help but recall the words he had spoken earlier.
Gazing at him with affection, a soft and beautiful smile curled gently at the corners of her lips. In her heart, she wholeheartedly agreed with those words of his.
…
After Qing Lin finished packing and bid farewell to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, the group left Rock Desert City and headed slightly southeast, toward a remote stretch of the desert.
"Sister Little Fairy Doctor, why are we here?" Qing Lin asked, looking around at the vast, flat landscape of sand stretching endlessly before them.
She was clearly confused. The place felt like the middle of nowhere, and to her surprise, after arriving, they began heading slightly north again. Her curiosity was piqued.
"Fu fu~ You can just call me Sister Fairy Doctor," the Little Fairy Doctor replied with a soft chuckle. Qing Lin's delicate, well-mannered demeanor and adorably cute face made it impossible for her to resist. She reached out and gave Qing Lin's soft cheeks a gentle pinch.
"We're here because of a certain condition I have," she added, finally letting go of Qing Lin's cheeks with a satisfied smile.
"Condition?" Qing Lin's eyes widened with concern. "Is something wrong with Sister Fairy Doctor?"
Her eyes immediately swept over the Fairy Doctor's figure with worried eyes, clearly anxious.
"Well, you see…" the Little Fairy Doctor began, gently explaining her unique physique, the treatment process, and the place to merge the Woeful Poison Body with the Ghostly Poison Flame.
"So that's why Young Master Xiao Hua and you two sisters are here…" Qing Lin finally understood the reason they had come to the Tager Desert—a barren land of endless sand that most people would avoid.
Though she didn't know much about Heavenly Flames, even she could tell they were extraordinary treasures—especially if so many powerful experts were willing to search for them.
Still, what moved her most wasn't the treasure, but the Fairy Doctor's condition. A physique that made people afraid to approach or even touch her… it was a cruel fate for someone so gentle and kind-hearted, someone who never wished harm on anyone.
Only now did Qing Lin truly understand why the Fairy Doctor wanted her to come along. After all, the two of them shared a similar pain—both burdened with traits that made others fear or reject them.
Yet, everything changed with the appearance of Young Master Xiao Hua. Because of him, the two of us can finally experience something close to a normal life—without fearing ourselves or being crushed under the weight of a cold, merciless fate.
Qing Lin subtly lifted her gaze, quietly staring at Xiao Hua's back. A soft, gentle smile bloomed on her face, as a warm tide surged through her heart.
A few minutes later, a slightly sunken stretch of sand came into view. Xiao Hua stepped forward and lightly waved his hand, causing the ground to shift and form a half-meter-wide concave pit. Peering into it, they were met with a pitch-black void, from which faint waves of hot air drifted upward.
"Is this where the Heavenly Flame is?" Little Fairy Doctor asked, turning to look at Xiao Hua.
"That's right," he replied with a nod. "It's deep underground, but it's definitely here."
He could sense faint movements from the Primordial Green Lotus Core Flame within him—subtle, but unmistakable. A response… confirming the presence of Green Lotus Core Flame is here.
However, their goal wasn't the Heavenly Flame itself, but rather the place where it had been born.
The Green Lotus Core Flame had formed deep underground, refined over countless years through polishing, fusion, pressure, and the tempering of the world's flame. As a result, this area was saturated with an incredibly dense and potent fire energy—perfect for fulfilling the requirements needed to merge the Ghostly Poison Flame with the Woeful Poison Body.
"But it's too hot… I can't stand the heat coming from this cave…" Zi Yan frowned, clearly hesitant to step inside.
Even from the outside, the searing heat was unbearable. It was obvious that the temperature and fire energy within the hole would be far worse. For most Magical Beasts—especially those not aligned with fire—places like this triggered an instinctive discomfort and aversion, even fear.
Despite being under the protection of Xiao Hua's cold veil, which shielded them from the heat to some extent, Zi Yan could still feel a faint unease deep within her. That alone was a testament to just how rich and overwhelming the fire energy in this place truly was.
"Alright, I understand. But it may take some time for the Little Fairy Doctor to fully merge the Ghostly Poison Flame with the Woeful Poison Body," Xiao Hua said with a nod, fully understanding Zi Yan's unease toward this place.
"In the meantime, you can explore the Tager Desert while we focus on the merging process. I won't be able to accompany you—I must remain here in case anything happens to Little Fairy Doctor. So please, be careful."
As he spoke, a flicker of light appeared on his fingertip, and a small, starry night jade materialized in his hand. He gently passed it to Zi Yan.
"If anything goes wrong, crush this jade. I'll come to you immediately," he added.
"Okay!" Zi Yan nodded with a bright, cheerful smile, holding the beautiful jade carefully.
With a final glance, Xiao Hua turned around and descended into a dark hole.
He wasn't too worried—there was nothing in the Tager Desert that could pose a real threat to her. Besides, she carried several protective treasures and multiple healing pills he had prepared for her, just in case her life was ever in danger.
"Be careful, Zi Yan. Even though you have many protective treasures from Xiao Hua, don't hesitate to call him if anything dangerous happens," Little Fairy Doctor reminded her gently.
"See you soon, Sister Zi Yan," Qing Lin added with a soft smile.
After Xiao Hua leapt into the hole, Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin followed shortly after. To ensure Qing Lin wouldn't get hurt during the fall, Little Fairy Doctor carried her in her arms as they descended together.
"I will! See you soon, Sister Fairy Doctor! You too, Qing Lin!" Zi Yan waved excitedly, watching them disappear into the hole one after another.
Once they were out of sight, a pair of shimmering, purple Dou Qi wings unfurled from Zi Yan's back, and with a burst of energy, she soared high into the sky.
"If I remember right... I sensed someone with a unique presence deeper in the Tager Desert. I want to see who it is that gives off such a powerful aura!"
She hadn't mentioned this peculiar presence to Xiao Hua. Curiosity sparked in her heart, and with eyes glowing with anticipation, she shot forth toward the depths of the desert—excitement and wonder written all over her face.
…
The descent didn't take long—only a few short minutes. Xiao Hua's feet landed softly on solid ground as his gaze swept forward, meeting a wall of darkness where ten tunnels stretched ahead, each one completely shrouded in shadow.
A moment later, the Little Fairy Doctor appeared beside him, gently setting Qing Lin down. Their eyes scanned the surroundings, but Qing Lin couldn't see anything—it was far too dark for her to make out even the outlines of the tunnels.
Naturally, Xiao Hua noticed this. With a gentle flick of his hand, countless golden-green flame embers curled out from his palm, floating gracefully into the air. They drifted through the cave, casting a soft, warm light that gradually illuminated the tunnels ahead.
The chilling air that once filled the underground chamber began to fade, replaced by a gentle warmth carried by the embers.
Only after the cave brightened could Qing Lin finally see the ten tunnels stretching before them. But her eyes didn't linger on the paths—instead, they were drawn to the mesmerizing golden-green flames. Their beauty captivated her, their soft glow seeming almost elegant and enchanting, stirring a strange sense of comfort in her heart.
Seeing Qing Lin's relaxed state, Xiao Hua could only shake his head with a helpless smile. He hadn't expected her to be this at ease, especially while traveling into a place that could very well be dangerous. Still, her comfort and trust in them were evident—and that, at least, was a good sign.
"Let's go. It's this way," Xiao Hua said as he exchanged a glance with the Little Fairy Doctor, pointing toward a tunnel slightly to their left.
The Little Fairy Doctor nodded with a gentle smile, indicating her understanding.
Xiao Hua took the lead, stepping into the tunnel. Behind him, the Little Fairy Doctor walked side by side with Qing Lin, keeping a close eye on her to ensure her safety.
Thanks to the floating golden-green embers, the tunnel was well-lit, eliminating any trouble in navigating the passageway.
The tunnel stretched on for quite some time. As they ventured deeper, a subtle warmth began to seep through the air—one that didn't originate from the flames. It was faint, yet distinct, but it was undoubtedly a warmth from depth of the tunnel.
"This…" Feeling the change in the surroundings, the Little Fairy Doctor's steps gradually came to a halt. A look of surprise surfaced on her beautiful face.
She had expected the birthplace of a Heavenly Flame to be extraordinary, but she hadn't anticipated that merely stepping into the border of the fire region would unleash such an overwhelming surge of fire energy—so dense that it completely overpowered the earth energy, which should've been the most abundant this deep beneath the desert.
"Qing Lin, are you able to endure the fire energy here?" she asked with concern.
"Yes," Qing Lin nodded her small head. Judging from the calm expression on her delicate face, it seemed the searing heat of the fire-type energy didn't bother her in the slightest.
Xiao Hua wasn't surprised—he already knew from Donghua and the novel that Qing Lin's body emitted a perpetual, bone-chilling cold energy. It was precisely this strange constitution that allowed her to withstand such intense heat with ease.
After confirming that Qing Lin remained unaffected—just like Donghua in the novel—Xiao Hua resumed his pace, striding deeper into the tunnel that led to the heart of the fire region.
As they ventured further, the surrounding fire-type energy became increasingly dense, almost tangible in the air. The heat pressed in on them from all sides, a clear sign that they were drawing closer to the source.
After a long and silent journey through the blazing depths, the three finally reached the end of the tunnel.
Standing at the threshold, the three of them gazed upon the world that unfolded before their eyes—a vast, fiery-red expanse, pulsing with an overwhelming intensity. The sight struck awe into their hearts. Shock flooded the faces of the Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin, their eyes wide as they took in the blazing spectacle before them.
Fiery red magma flowed slowly within the vast underground crypt. Occasionally, massive bubbles rose to the surface, only to burst with a soft bang, sending jets of molten lava into the air like fiery-red fireworks—both dangerous and mesmerizing.
Standing at the mouth of the tunnel, Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin stared in astonishment at the seemingly endless sea of magma stretching before them. The sight was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, causing them to subconsciously swallow their saliva.
"To think... such a terrifying place was hidden beneath Rock Desert City," Little Fairy Doctor murmured, her body shielded by a faint purple glow as she gazed in wonder at the molten world before her.
"I've lived in Rock Desert City my whole life, but I never imagined something like this was so close..." Qing Lin whispered, eyes wide as she swept her gaze across the fiery landscape.
Little Fairy Doctor nodded in agreement, then turned to check on Qing Lin—only to be stunned by what she saw. Despite her weak cultivation and delicate body, Qing Lin remained completely unaffected by the intense heat.
How is this possible? Little Fairy Doctor frowned slightly, her delicate brows furrowing. Could it be due to the Snake-People bloodline within her? But even a true Snake-Person would struggle in a place like this… they would scream in agony and retreat.
She couldn't help but feel puzzled by Qing Lin's unusual resistance to the scorching environment.
"Shall we begin?" Xiao Hua turned and looked toward Little Fairy Doctor, his calm voice breaking her out of her thoughts.
Startled, she blinked and quickly refocused her attention. "Yes," she replied with a nod. "This place is more than suitable for me to merge the Woeful Poison Body and Ghostly Poison Flame."
With that, she took a single step forward—her figure instantly vanishing from view. A heartbeat later, she reappeared in the distance, standing gracefully above the sea of molten magma.
She closed her eyes, shutting out all distractions. Her hands moved gracefully, forming a series of complex and mysterious hand seals. As the seals took shape, waves of powerful energy rippled out from her body, causing the natural energy in the surroundings to stir in response.
Moments later, a sudden change overtook Little Fairy Doctor. Grayish-purple vein-like lines emerged near her lower abdomen and rapidly spread across her body. A thick, oppressive scent of death began to emanate from those eerie lines.
This was the poison of the Woeful Poison Body—a terrifying force. Once fully unleashed, this venomous energy would swiftly consume every trace of life force within its host.
As the poison surged through her body at an alarming pace, a purple flame abruptly ignited and coiled around her form. This was the Ghostly Poison Flame, a fire born from devouring countless deadly toxins. Its flames formed a barrier, blocking the Woeful Poison from spreading any further, especially toward her head and vital organs.
Despite its powerful nature, even the Ghostly Poison Flame struggled to suppress the venomous tide completely. Gradually, it managed to push the grayish-purple veins back toward her lower abdomen.
However, just as the poison began to recede, it resisted fiercely. A powerful counterforce surged from the grayish veins, resulting in a deadlock—neither side able to advance, yet neither willing to yield. A tense equilibrium was formed, with both forces striving to claim dominance over the other.
"Ugh…!"
As the clash between the Woeful Poison Body and the Ghostly Poison Flame raged on, a painful groan escaped Little Fairy Doctor's lips. Her body trembled, but she gritted her teeth, enduring the searing agony coursing through her veins.
Her hands continued to move swiftly, forming complex hand seals with practiced precision. As another set of seals was completed, a faint tremor spread through the sea of magma beneath her feet.
The fiery sea rippled, and moments later, thin threads of blazing energy rose from the molten depths, swirling upward before being absorbed into her body.
Once inside her, the Ghostly Poison Flame surged in strength. The oppressive resistance of the Woeful Poison Body began to weaken, and the grayish-purple veins were slowly but steadily forced back by the purple flames.
Time passed in tense silence until finally—both the venomous poison and the demonic flame were fully suppressed and drawn into her lower dantian.
"Huu…"
A long breath of relief escaped her lips. The first phase was complete. The Woeful Poison and the Ghostly Poison Flame had been gathered.
"Now comes the most important step…" she murmured, her expression growing solemn. A flicker of resolve and gravity appeared in her eyes as she prepared for the final, most dangerous fusion.
She now had to merge the Ghostly Poison Flame with the Woeful Poison Body. This step was not only the most crucial—but also the most perilous. Even the slightest misstep could not be tolerated.
If a single error occurred, she would be consumed by both the poison and the flame, experiencing unimaginable agony as her body and soul were devoured from within.
"Let's begin…!"
With a resolute cry, she focused her mind and began the fusion process. At her command, the threads of crimson fiery energy from the magma sea surged with greater intensity. The blazing currents wrapped around her, gradually forming a deep-purple cocoon that enveloped her entire figure.
The true merging of the Woeful Poison and the Ghostly Poison Flame had officially begun.
From this point forward, the process could not be interrupted. Any interference would result in a devastating backlash—one that could cost Little Fairy Doctor her life.
Now, it was up to those outside the cocoon to protect her. Her mind could no longer spare attention for anything but the delicate balance within her body.
But she wasn't afraid.
She had entrusted her back to that young man—Xiao Hua.
Even if the world itself turned against her, she believed with all her heart that he would protect her. Without hesitation. Without fail. Even if he had to fight the heavens themselves.
-------|
Read 20 Advanced Chapters in Patreon:
http://patreon.com/GodYato