"Qing Lin, have you really made up your mind?"
Xiao Bai looked at his little maid before him, his gaze serious.
He didn't know what had happened during the two days he was cultivating in the pit. As soon as he returned, Qing Lin had come to him, saying she wanted to leave with the people from the Sky Serpent Mansion.
At this thought, Xiao Bai's deep pupils shimmered with a faint light as he stared at the Sky Serpent Mansion's Lu Man, suspecting whether this woman had said something to Qing Lin during his absence.
"Young Master Xiao, I—" Sensing the look in Xiao Bai's eyes, Lu Man felt a strong sense of danger and quickly waved her hands in denial.
"Young Master, it's not Sister Lü Man's fault! Qing Lin is willing!" Qing Lin interrupted Lu Man, pulling Xiao Bai's hand as she lowered her head somewhat gloomily. "Qing Lin just wants to learn some skills to better help Young Master!"
Seeing her pitiful little expression, Xiao Bai sighed and gently patted her head, saying softly, "If you want to go, then go."
Based on the original story, the Sky Serpent Mansion was indeed suitable for Qing Lin. In just over ten years, she had grown from a little girl who wasn't even a Dou Practitioner to a Dou Zun—a speed that could rival the high-level bloodlines of the Dou Di Clans.
Xiao Bai didn't have a suitable training plan for her. If she stayed with him, her cultivation speed might not necessarily match the original timeline.
From Lu Man, Xiao Bai had long learned that the Sky Serpent Mansion's master was a Peak Dou Zong expert who had been stuck at this level for many years without any signs of breaking through to Dou Zun.
The Sky Serpent Mansion had been searching for the Three Flower Jade Pupil to unlock the secret realm left behind by their founding ancestor, the Half-Saint Sky Serpent, in order to obtain his inheritance and lead the Sky Serpent Mansion to rise again.
Qing Lin wouldn't suffer any grievances at the Sky Serpent Mansion. On the contrary, if she obtained the inheritance, her status there would be extremely high.
This was also why Xiao Bai relented. He wasn't without doubts, but based on the original story and some information from Medusa, who seemed to know a bit about the Sky Serpent Mansion, his concerns were alleviated.
"Let's get this straight—I agree to let Qing Lin go with you to the Sky Serpent Mansion."
"But if, when I visit her in the future, she has suffered even the slightest grievance, even if your Half-Saint Sky Serpent were to revive, I will tear down your Sky Serpent Mansion!"
Xiao Bai's sharp gaze fixed on Lu Man as he issued the warning.
Lu Man inwardly sighed in relief, overjoyed. Without hesitation, she nodded solemnly and said, "Young Master Xiao, rest assured. Qing Lin will not suffer the slightest grievance at the Sky Serpent Mansion—I stake my life on it!"
As for Xiao Bai's threat to tear down the Sky Serpent Mansion, though she had her doubts, she found it somewhat credible. The disdain in the voice of the person who had stopped Bai Ya that day didn't sound like mere bravado.
Currently, the Sky Serpent Mansion was only considered first-rate in the Northwestern Continent, not even among the very top echelon. The top forces in the Northwestern Continent all had Dou Zun experts overseeing them.
The Sky Serpent Mansion, however, hadn't seen a Dou Zun emerge in a long time. This was why the mansion had sent so many people to search for the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils in recent years.
According to records, those with this physique could reach the Dou Zun level with ease, provided they were nurtured properly.
"I hope you keep your word." Xiao Bai gave Lü Man a deep look before turning to Qing Lin, who was clutching his hand tightly. He smiled and teased, "What's wrong? Weren't you very brave just now? Willing to leave your Young Master behind, but now you don't want to go?"
The little girl's eyes were red. Suddenly, she hugged Xiao Bai tightly, burying her face in his chest, and said with a sob,
"Qing Lin would never abandon Young Master! Young Master will always be Qing Lin's Young Master. Qing Lin just… just doesn't want to leave you!"
Looking down at the little girl in his arms, who only reached his chest, Xiao Bai couldn't help but feel the same reluctance.
During their time with the Snake-People Tribe, this little girl had taken care of every aspect of his daily life, handling everything personally without letting him worry about a single thing.
Moreover, perhaps because no one looked at her with disgust anymore during this period, she had become much more cheerful, no longer as timid and cautious as before.
"Once you get there, don't act like you used to—letting people hit you without running away or fighting back. If anyone dares to bully you, unleash your little flame on them. If you can't beat them, just run. Write their names down in a little notebook and look at it every day. Remember how they bullied you, then train hard and go back to beat them up later. Understand?"
This girl was too naive and still carried some lingering insecurity. The Sky Serpent Mansion was a sect—a far more complicated environment. While high-ranking figures might be easier to deal with, petty troublemakers were harder to avoid. With her talent, her life wouldn't be in danger, but Xiao Bai was worried she might suffer unfair treatment.
"Mm, Qing Lin will listen to Young Master!" The little girl nodded in his embrace.
Lu Man rolled her eyes at his words. This guy really dared to teach her such things!
If Qing Lin actually did this, no one in the Sky Serpent Mansion who understood the terror of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils would dare to let their names end up in her little notebook.
Being remembered every day by a future Dou Zun—and even serving as her motivation to train harder—would be enough to keep anyone awake at night.
"Come here," Xiao Bai beckoned to Lu Man and Bai Ya (White Fang).
The two seemed to sense what was coming and quickly stepped forward, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"Since Qing Lin is going with you, I'll lift your seals. I hope you'll take good care of her at the Sky Serpent Mansion."
This was a decision Xiao Bai had carefully considered. Given the distance and the fact that he wouldn't be able to visit the Sky Serpent Mansion anytime soon, it was better to be generous and win their goodwill, ensuring Qing Lin would have more support there.
"Young Master Xiao, don't worry! Once Qing Lin joins the Sky Serpent Mansion, if anyone dares to bully her, I, Old Bai, will be the first to refuse!" The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, Bai Ya, raised his head proudly and declared in a booming voice.
"I appreciate it." Xiao Bai glanced at him. Though he wasn't sure how trustworthy the serpent was, at least the attitude was good.
With a wave of his hand, an invisible force swept over the two, and they immediately felt their senses return to full sharpness, their faces lighting up with excitement.
"Alright, since you've decided to leave, you might as well set off early." Xiao Bai patted the little girl in his arms.
He had originally planned to leave today, but her matter had delayed him.
Qing Lin didn't pull away. Instead, she hugged him even tighter. Young Master was the person she cared about most in this world, and she didn't know how long it would be before she saw him again.
Seeing this, Lu Man stepped forward.
"Little Qing Lin, let's go. The sooner you train, the sooner you'll grow stronger, and the sooner you can see Young Master Xiao again. Isn't that right?"
Hearing this, Qing Lin finally released Xiao Bai. Her eyes were red as she gave him one last deep look and whispered, "Young Master, take care."
Xiao Bai gazed at her, then after a moment's thought, took out a pile of pills from his storage ring—ranging from first-tier to fifth-tier—along with 200,000 gold coins for her to keep.
After all, she was still just a girl, one who had suffered hardships all her life, heading to an unfamiliar place. Xiao Bai wanted to give her some confidence.
"Go on," Xiao Bai waved his hand.
"Young Master Xiao, Queen Medusa, farewell!" Lu Man nodded to them both, then took Qing Lin and soared into the sky.
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